Kilgallon in line for rare start against QPR

In the final year of his contract, forgotten man Matt Kilgallon will come in from the wilderness tonight to make his first Premier League start of the season.

The 28 year-old centre-back looks set to make his first appearance for Sunderland since the 2-0 win over MK Dons in September after John O'Shea was ruled out of tonight's clash.

Kilgallon, signed from Sheffield United in January 2010 by Steve Bruce, has made just 15 Premier League starts for the Lads since moving to the Stadium of Light.

However, with Wes Brown already sidelined, Titus Bramble unfit and O'Shea joining the pair on the treatment table with a calf injury, Kilgallon looks set to start.

Speaking to The Sunderland Echo Martin O'Neill confirmed the news.

"John O`Shea is very doubtful for tonight,' admitted O'Neill.

"Titus hasn`t played for a little while, and Matt has been here training every day while Titus has been recovering from injury - although Bramble has been injury-free for the last couple of weeks."

Kilgallon made 10 of his 15 Premier League starts for Sunderland last term as O'Neill's side suffered a defensive crisis in the second-half of the campaign.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.