Boss hails richly talented Kieran Richardson

Oct 24 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

STEVE Bruce has held up Kieran Richardson as an example of the versatility Sunderland’s players will have to show under him.

The Londoner returns from suspension at Birmingham City this afternoon and is set to slot into the side at left-back ahead of George McCartney, who has made a stuttering start to life under Bruce because of injury.

Until the Corbridge-born manager’s arrival, Richardson spent most of his Black Cats career playing in midfield.

Bruce, though, has deliberately slimmed down his squad this season, requiring greater adaptability from those in it.

“He did very well for us at left-back so I have a decision to make between George and Kieran in the next 24 hours,” he said of Richardson. “We also have a game on Tuesday (against Aston Villa in the League Cup), which I have to consider.

“The good thing for Kieran and for me is the fact he can play in a number of positions. In pre-season he played off the front and was terrific. So I have that option as well.

“That is why I have only gone with three (main) strikers – plus Daryl Murphy and David Healy.

“He can also play in the middle of midfield. I saw him do that and keep West Brom up (in a 2005 loan spell). He can play on the left-hand side and left-back.

“That is the beauty of Kieran – he can play in different positions, which a manager needs.”

McCartney recovered from a foot injury – the second time this season he has returned from international duty with Northern Ireland unfit – against Liverpool last week only to succumb to the illness he had been suffering for the past few days at half-time.

With versatile defender John Mensah missing through a calf complaint also likely to keep him out today and Paulo Da Silva and Nyron Nosworthy short of match-fitness, Bruce opted to move captain Lork Cana back to the heart of the defence and Anton Ferdinand across to left-back, where both performed well.

Lee Cattermole is not expected to play again in 2009 and, as Bruce indicated, neither Murphy nor Healy are considered serious starting options.