SAFC defender Ferdinand 50-50 for Bolton
Dec 17 2010 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal
THE good news for Sunderland is Anton Ferdinand might not play tomorrow. That there is now some doubt is good news because even a couple of days ago, the centre-back was given no chance of lining up against Bolton Wanderers.
Ferdinand was expected to be out for three to four weeks with a hamstring injury after limping off in the first half of Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Fulham.
With fellow defenders Michael Turner and Titus Bramble already injured and John Mensah notoriously fragile, to lose Ferdinand as well would be a big blow to the Black Cats’ top-ten hopes.
“There’s a doubt about Ferdinand, he’s the big one,” said Black Cats manager Steve Bruce. “He might have a run-out today.
“We’re not ruling him out yet. He did something yesterday we didn’t think would be possible. We think the hamstring strain might be back-related. We won’t know until today. We’ll see how he reacts.”
Ahmed Elmohamady replaced Ferdinand (pictured) at Craven Cottage, and will be in line to do so from the start at the weekend. Until then the Egyptian had been used almost exclusively on the right wing by Bruce, but his versatility would allow Nedum Onuoha to move inside as an emergency centre-back alongside Mensah, as he did in west London.
“It’s an option,” said Bruce. “Elmohamady plays there for Egypt. That’s where I first saw him play. He’s sometimes used as a wing-back by his country as well.
“He can play there, it’s not a problem. He’s good in the air and in fact, if I was to call it, he’s probably a better full-back than a wide player.”
Bruce knows his team will need to be in good shape to face in-form Bolton, in what will be a clash of two of this season’s most improved teams at the Stadium of Light.
“We have a platform with three out of the next four matches at home,” said Bruce of his side’s Festive programme. “Our home record has been decent so let’s hope that can continue.
“We have lost three games this season, which is fantastic achievement. They have made coming to the Stadium of Light what it should be, which is difficult. With the snow coming and weather biting we have to continue to make it difficult.”
Two points above Sunderland in the table, Bolton are winning plaudits for style and substance this season. Bruce for one is suitably impressed by their improvement under Owen Coyle.
“I watched them smash Newcastle and was very impressed,” said the Sunderland boss. “I would like to think we are in that mix and we can keep the momentum going and have a good Christmas, which is vital. They have been in the Premier League for 10 years and finished in the top eight under Sam (Allardyce) three or four times. With (Kevin) Davies, (Johan) Elmander, (Stuart) Holden, (Gary) Cahill and the Korean boy (Chung-Yong Lee) they have some good players.
“They may not be the most fashionable but they are handful for any team. We will have to be at our best to beat them.”
Many have been surprised by the pretty football the Trotters are producing, but it is one of their more prosaic qualities which has caught Bruce’s eye.
“Just ask (Manchester City manager Roberto) Mancini, you can have as much money to spend as you want but you need spirit and all good teams have it,” he said. “Bolton come under that, they are all playing for each other, playing for their manager enjoying what they are doing and they are getting results and that is an important thing here too.”
