Bad luck hits Cats' George McCartney again

Oct 30 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

SUNDERLAND were handed a boost yesterday when they were able to cross Darren Bent’s name off their lengthening injury list – but manager Steve Bruce says George McCartney’s regular presence on it is down to nothing more than bad luck.

Bent missed Tuesday’s League Cup exit against Aston Villa with a jarred knee, prompting fears he could be unavailable for tomorrow’s visit of West Ham United. That remains a possibility, but one that has receded somewhat after the Black Cats’ top-scorer trained yesterday.

It was the only good news in a medical bulletin which has Fraizer Campbell (hamstring) and Phil Bardsley (shoulder) rated 50-50 to face the Hammers, and Boudewijn Zenden (hip) and John Mensah (calf) less likely to figure.

It only makes the problems suffered by McCartney, the club’s sole left-back, more frustrating. A variety of knocks, niggles and even sickness have limited the Northern Ireland international’s involvement this season.

“He has a horrible knock on his hip,” Bruce said of the latest problem. “It is really, really sore. He ran into someone’s knee and it is a painful one, nasty looking.

“He gave us a spark against

Birmingham and I thought he started off very well the other night (against Villa). It is a shame he keeps getting a little niggle or a knock.

“It was just a big whack, there is nothing you can do about it. If it had been a muscle or a strain that kept happening, that would be different. But he has had his fair share (of injuries) – probably when he has been away with Ireland more importantly!”

Such a spate of injuries (Lee Cattermole is a long-term absentee with medial knee ligament damage) was always the danger when Bruce pruned his squad and, although he will be seeking reinforcements in January, the Corbridge-born manager has no regrets.

“I always knew when the transfer window closed, we would have at least 14 games before it reopened and would be a little bit light,” he admitted. “But I would rather trim down the squad and have to use a couple of young players every now and again, than have another ten senior players disgruntled and not involved.”

An August move for Wigan Athletic left-back Maynor Figueroa collapsed at the 11th hour and Bruce would like to revive it in the New Year if the Honduran recovers from his own knee injury.