Injury worries pile up for Cats

Feb 8 2008 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

ROY Keane will have to contend with a midfield injury crisis as he prepares for Sunderland’s vital relegation showdown with Wigan Athletic tomorrow after it emerged that Dickson Etuhu has returned from the African Cup of Nations with a calf problem.

Despite strengthening the Black Cats with five new players during the January transfer window, Keane’s squad is still being stretched by a series of unfortunately-timed injuries which mean he will have to field a makeshift midfield against the Latics.

Considering Wigan’s Premier League position – Steve Bruce’s side are directly above Sunderland on goal difference – a victory for the Wearsiders would be a massive boost in their battle against relegation.

Keane is still hoping that Etuhu can shake off the problem which forced him off in Nigeria’s 2-1 quarter-final defeat to hosts Nigeria, but the former Norwich man is only rated at 50-50.

Sunderland have also been rocked by the news that Etuhu’s central midfield colleague, Liam Miller, is facing another spell in the treatment room after he picked up a calf strain while playing in the Republic of Ireland’s 1-0 defeat by Brazil in Dublin on Wednesday night. Miller was taken off at half-time at Croke Park and is expected to be missing for almost a month.

With Dwight Yorke still suffering from a calf injury, Grant Leadbitter sidelined with a broken toe, Carlos Edwards and Kieran Richardson both ruled out with hamstring tears

and new signing Andy Reid still short of match fitness following his deadline-day move from Charlton Athletic, captain Dean Whitehead could be the only specialist midfielder in the team tomorrow.

It is a cruel blow to Keane as he looks to keep the Black Cats out of the relegation places and he admitted his team had been unfortunate in that area all season.

He said: “We are due a spell where we don’t get any injuries. When we do get some of these players back, I think we’ll have a squad that can do well. It will be great to have players back, particularly as they are quality players who bring something extra to the side.”

With so many players out injured, Keane also revealed he will be instructing the players who are fit to calm down in training.

He explained: “We’ll be wrapping the players in cotton wool from now on. We’re looking to shorten our training sessions, making sure we’re ready for match days. There have been times when we’ve left a bit too much on the training pitch and not been at our sharpest for games. The fitness is already there now, we just want to keep them ticking over.”

Striker Michael Chopra played on the right wing against Liverpool last weekend and Daryl Murphy has often been asked to play wide on the left. That will mean Swedish striker Rade Prica will have to start alongside Kenwyne Jones up front. Jones will only return to training at the Academy of Light this morning after a 5,000 mile return journey because of his international commitments with Trinidad and Tobago.

It was something of a wasted trip for the big forward who failed to score in a goal-less draw with Guadeloupe on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, Sunderland defender Nyron Nosworthy has been quick to dismiss suggestions Wigan are Sunderland’s bogey team. The Wearsiders have already lost 3-0 to tomorrow’s opponents twice this season, including arguably their worst performance of the campaign, when they crashed out of the FA Cup.But Nosworthy said: “They are not a bogey team as we've just played poorly twice.

SUNDERLAND AFC Foundation will be holding children’s football courses in the Sunderland and Washington areas during half-term. To find out dates and venues call 0191 551 5191 or visit www.safc.com/foundation to book online.