George McCartney surprised as three head out

Feb 3 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

GEORGE McCartney admits he was surprised to see Sunderland allow so many players to leave in January as the squad continues to be stretched by injuries and suspension.

Black Cats boss Steve Bruce added three new faces before the deadline on Monday night, but also let Daryl Murphy, David Healy and Nyron Nosworthy all drop down to the Championship on loan.

Healy and Murphy have been reunited with ex-Sunderland manager Roy Keane at Ipswich, Nosworthy has gone in search of first-team football at Sheffield United.

Despite the failure to increase numbers, McCartney still believes the squad has the strength in depth to invigorate a flagging campaign as he defended the club’s refusal not to spend extravagantly during the mid-season window.

Although Bruce managed to strengthen in the crucial area of defence, which was his main priority at the start of the month, he also suffered a series of setbacks as a host of targets – including Schalke striker Kevin Kuranyi, Aston Villa defender Habib Beye, Wigan’s Maynor Figueroa and Hamburg’s Guy Demel – slipped through the net and stayed put.

“It’s up to the manager and those in the background to decide who comes in and who goes,” said McCartney, who remains the only specialist left-back at the club, although new signing Matthew Kilgallon can fill in there if needed.

“Fans are expectant here and they are looking for big names to come in and players to improve certain positions in the team.

“It’s not up to me or the players to say whether it was a success or not, that’s down to the manager.

“I was probably surprised myself to see those three (Daryl, David and Nyron) lads go, with the squad being so small and the injuries we have had over the last few weeks.