McCartney hamstring injury leaves Cats with tough test

Sep 7 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

Paulo Da Silva is another new centre-half who can play on the left of defence. The Paraguay captain has done so less often than Mensah, but has the advantage of having spent more time at the Academy of Light after his own pre-season was disrupted by red tape.

The 29-year-old made his Sunderland debut in the recent League Cup victory over Norwich City, where he played at the heart of the defence. He also played 90 minutes in his preferred position during Paraguay’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Bolivia, and is set to feature against Argentina on Thursday. Victory will guarantee qualification for Paraguay.

If Bruce is wary of throwing either man in before he is ready, Kieran Richardson could be a short-term alternative.

The Londoner is a midfielder by preference, but has filled in at left-back for the Black Cats and previous club Manchester United.

Phil Bardsley is another option at left-back, where he also occasionally played for the Wearsiders last season. Moving him would involve yet another change to a back four which is already set to include a new centre-back pairing as Michael Turner makes his debut against his former club. Again, there is no specialist cover for Bardsley in the squad but Nyron Nosworthy, Da Silva and Mensah can all play right-back. Middlesbrough are considering taking striker Daryl Murphy and any successful negotiations could help pave the way for Sunderland to move for Boro’s highly-rated left-winger Adam Johnson in January.

Meanwhile, the Black Cats’ pre-Christmas trip to Craven Cottage has been rearranged for Sunday, December 6 at 3pm because of Fulham’s Europa League commitments.