Relegation rivals Sunderland and Burnley head into their meeting on Saturday level on points in the Premier League table.

Both teams sit one point above the relegation zone - a position which would have satisfied the Clarets more than Sunderland prior to the start of the season.

Sean Dyche has defied a meagre budget and a group lacking top-flight nous to keep Burnley above water thus far.

The goals of Danny Ings have been key for last season's Championship runners-up, but it remains to be seen whether they can keep hold of the striker this month.

The England Under-21 international has been linked with Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, and it appears that Liverpool have now joined the race for his signature.

Reports on Thursday claimed that the Reds are hoping to take advantage of Ings only having six months left to run on his Turf Moor contract by snatching him for a cut-price fee before Monday's transfer deadline.

Meanwhile, Gus Poyet's experienced and international squad have largely underwhelmed this season, with only three wins and 11 draws condemning them to another relegation battle at this stage of the campaign.

Jermain Defoe's arrival is intended to fire the Black Cats away from trouble, and the former Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United marksman is in line to make his third successive start for the club this weekend.

He is likely to be partnered by Steven Fletcher as Poyet experiments with a 3-5-2 formation to accommodate his new attacking weapon, with Adam Johnson poised to play in the hole should he shake off a muscle complaint.

With Jack Rodwell suspended having been sent off in the 0-0 FA Cup draw with Fulham last time out, Lee Cattermole is hopeful of being recalled in the middle of the park after missing five games with a knee injury.

Wes Brown should also pass a late fitness test to form one third of the home side's back three, but Anthony Reveillereremains sidelined and the likes of Liam Bridcutt and Sebastian Coates will drop to the bench.

Burnley had a weekend off due to their FA Cup elimination at the hands of Spurs, and so Dyche's usual starting XI, which has been consistent for a division-record eight games in succession, should be well rested.

Throwing away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Crystal Palace may have been Burnley's most disappointing result of the season so far, but injuries to Matthew Taylor and Stephen Ward mean that options to change are limited.

Sunderland have lost only one of their last 17 league matches against the Clarets and held them to a 0-0 draw in September.

Sunderland:

Form in Premier League: WLDLLL
Form in all competitions: DLWLLD

Possible starting lineup: Pantilimon; Vergini, Brown, O'Shea; Jones, Cattermole, Larsson, Van Aanholt; Johnson; Fletcher, Defoe

Burnley:

Form in Premier League: LLDDWL
Form in all competitions: DDDWLL

Possible starting lineup: Heaton; Tripper, Shackell, Keane, Mee; Arfield, Jones, Marney, Boyd; Ings, Barnes

Sports Mole says: 0-0