Sunderland will look to continue their promising start to the League One campaign on Saturday afternoon, when they host old rivals Portsmouth at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats go into the game fifth in the League One table, with 14 points from their six league games so far this season.

Phil Parkinson's side are just two points adrift of second-placed Ipswich, meaning a win over Pompey could lift Sunderland into the automatic promotion places if results elsewhere go their way.

But what sort of side could Parkinson have available to call upon to take on Portsmouth?

Here, we take a look at the latest Sunderland team news ahead of that game.

Jordan Willis

Sunderland have been handed a boost this week with news on Willis.

The centre back missed the midweek win over Crewe with a foot injury suffered in the victory at Swindon last weekend.

However, Parkinson has now revealed that an X-Ray has revealed the damage is not as bad as could have been, and Willis is now pushing to feature against Portsmouth.

Tom Flanagan 

One defender in a similar situation to Willis is Tom Flanagan.

The Northern Irishman was only fit enough to make a substitute appearance against Crewe, after picking up an ankle injury while on international duty earlier this month.

But like Willis, Flanagan could also feature this weekend, after Parkinson confirmed that the 29-year-old has been given the all clear by a specialist to continue his recovery.

Arbenit Xhemajli

One defender Sunderland will definitely have to do without against Portsmouth is Arbenit Xhemajli.

The Kosovan suffered a major knee injury while on international duty earlier this month, and it has already been confirmed by Parkinson that the 22-year-old summer signing will miss the rest of this season.

Morgan Feeney

Like Xhemajli, Morgan Feeney is another Sunderland man who will not be available for quite some time due to injury.

It was announced back at the end of September that the former Everton man will be out for around four months due to a hamstring injury, meaning it is unlikely we will see the centre back until the turn of the year at least.

Dion Sanderson

A late transfer window loan signing from Wolves, Sanderson did not feature at all for the Black Cats against Crewe in midweek.

Parkinson has now explained that Sunderland were told by Wolves that the right-back is low on match fitness having missed some training sessions with his parent club, although he could be pushing to feature against Pompey, after spending the week working with his new club.