If Milner plays, he will be making his 150th career Premier League appearance (Leeds, Newcastle and Aston Villa).
And Sam must show some form of attacking flair on our travels rather than packing the midfield with ball winners and hoofing the ball to "target man" Alan Smith hoping Michael Owen can feed off scraps.
Allardyce will make a late decision on whether to throw potential match-winner Mark Viduka straight in against Sunderland, or stick with Smith.
The 32-year-old has missed the last four games with a calf problem - leaving the less imposing Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins and Alan Smith to battle the league's towering defenders.
Allardyce: "It's always key to have your big players fit, and Mark Viduka's past record in the game stands up for itself.
"As a Premier League striker, he has got a very, very good track record - in terms of how he contributes outside the box, in terms of linking and starting off attacks and how he contributes in providing opportunities for other players to score goals.
"But I have got to decide whether it is the right thing to start him or not on Saturday. That's my decision and something I and the staff need to talk about."
Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones will attack his first Wear-Tyne derby tomorrow - and insists his side must approach every game in the same way.