Pugh will be out for one game and that may give Lewis Neal a chance to start on the left hand side of midfield. Another option for Paul Simpson could be to start Callum Davidson wide left after his recent impressive displays in the centre of midfield.
Good news for North End is that Danny Dichio has now completed his three match suspension for the red card he recieved at The Hawthorns for an apparent elbow on Baggies defender Paul McShane.
Dichio missed the two clashes against the Black Cats and missed the crunch game on new years day between North End and Derby.