Evans has recovered from a hamstring injury after missing two games, including last week's survival clincher against Middlesbrough.

But Higginbotham is desperate to hold onto his place – and says that's the sort of competition that will keep the Black Cats on their toes for the final two games of the season.

The 29-year-old former Stoke defender scored in last weekend's 3-2 home triumph over Boro, which guaranteed Premier League status for next season.

Higginbotham, forced to watch from the sidelines for most games since Evans arrived on loan in January, said: "It's been a frustrating time.

"As a footballer, you work hard all week and when you have nothing at the end of it, you feel as if you are not doing your job.

"It is a horrible feeling.

"But that's football. It has its ups and downs and it's a team game.

"All I do is when I get the opportunity to play, I go out and give 110 per cent.

"The manager has made the decisions this season and no-one can fault that. He has made a lot of good decisions.

"If I get the opportunity to play again this week, then so be it. It has been a bit of an up and down season for me, but I have confidence in my own ability."

Sunderland can relax to some extent without the pressure of facing a must-win fixture.

But these are anxious times for Bolton, who are still scrapping for the points they need to stay in the top flight.

Wanderers have given themselves hope with a win at Boro and last weekend's draw at Spurs to move into 16th place in the table, a point above Birmingham in 18th.

But Higginbotham has warned Gary Megson's men not to expect any favours tomorrow.

He said: "We have got two games left and we want to finish as high up
the league as possible.

"Bolton are still in a bit of a scrap, as a few teams are, so it would be daft if anyone was to say the season is over and that's it.

"We are going to go and try to get as many wins as we can and finish as high up the league as possible."