Sunderland will be without skipper Gary Breen and full-back George McCartney when they embark on their pre-season tour of Canada and the United States tomorrow.
The 31-year-old Republic of Ireland international and his 24-year-old Northern Irish counterpart were initially named among a 21-man party, but have since pulled out.
Breen is struggling with a knee problem which hampered him at the end of last season, while McCartney has a hamstring strain and both men will remain on Wearside for treatment.
Their places will be taken by youngsters Dan Smith and Ben Christensen, who will fly out to Canada with the rest of the squad.
Injury-plagued midfielder Matt Piper will be with them, but there will be no place for striker Kevin Kyle, who is being left behind to continue his rehabilitation on a hip cartilage problem.
The Black Cats will play four games during their North American tour, against Victoria State and Vancouver Whitecaps in Canada and Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers in the States.
