Teenager Wickham to make League bow

England Under-21 striker Connor Wickham is expected to make his Premier League debut for Sunderland at Bolton on Saturday.

Embattled manager Steve Bruce resisted the temptation to play Wickham, who cost eight million pounds in the off-season, in last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Arsenal despite on-loan Nicklas Bendtner being ineligible.

Former Ipswich front man Wickham, 18, had only just returned to training after a groin injury, with Bruce opting instead to name Stephane Sessegnon as a lone striker.

Bendtner will go straight back into the starting line-up for the trip to fellow strugglers Bolton, with just goal difference separating the third-bottom Trotters from the 17th Black Cats.

But the in-form Danish international is likely to be partnered in attack by Wickham, with Sessegnon reverting to the flanks and Ahmed Elmohamady expected to drop to the bench.

“Sessegnon created three massive chances against Arsenal, but I just wonder whether he can get us the goals we need at the moment,” Bruce said.

“I know he’ll create from the flanks so it’s in my thoughts to put someone else up front alongside Bendtner. It could be time for Connor.”

“We’ve got to go to try to take the game to Bolton.”

“They played 4-4-2 against Wigan last Saturday and we’ll do the same and go and see if we can win the game.”

The inclusion of Bendtner and Wickham will force Bruce to decide between Jack Colback, Lee Cattermole and David Vaughan in central midfield.

But the Sunderland boss also has a dilemma at the back, with Phil Bardsley returning from a four-match ban and vying to take Kieran Richardson’s spot at left-back.

“When you’ve got people available, you hope you can pick the right team,” Bruce said.

“As a manager, you are judged on making a decision that can get you a result.”

“Kieran never gave (Theo) Walcott a kick last Sunday which is in my mind straightaway.”

“He had a tough start to the season by his standards, but last weekend, you could see the value of his pace defensively.”

“But I also know that Phil had a wonderful season for us last year. He’s a wonderful character and someone you’d like to have in the trenches with you. I’m well aware that I’ve got a decision to make.”