LYNDEN GOOCH is set to miss Sunderland’s weekend game at Preston, but Danny Batth will be part of the squad at Deepdale despite this week’s transfer talk involving Blackburn Rovers and QPR.

Gooch picked up a knock after coming on as a second-half substitute during last weekend’s season-opening defeat to Ipswich Town, and was forced to sit out Tuesday’s Carabao Cup first-round defeat to Crewe Alexandra.

He has been unable to take part in full training this week, and is not expected to feature in tomorrow’s meeting with Preston.

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Sunderland head coach Tony Mowbray said: “Lynden won't make this weekend, but I'm pretty sure there's every chance he could be involved when we play Rotherham on the Saturday after.”

Batth skippered Sunderland as they crashed out of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, but is the subject of sustained interest from both Blackburn and QPR.

The centre-half is in the final year of his current contact at the Stadium of Light, and is not expected to be offered a new deal, increasing the likelihood of him leaving this month.

However, until a deal is agreed, Mowbray will continue to view Batth as a key member of his squad, and is set to name the 32-year-old on the bench at Deepdale.

He said: “I don't know what's been said or written about Danny, but he is a brilliant guy and he's here, working hard, getting on with it and so he'll be involved.

“If Kristjaan (Speakman) calls me in one day and says we've received the bid and it's acceptable to everyone, then that'll happen. If not and the window shuts, I know Danny will get on with it.”