SUNDERLAND have successfully appealed against the red card John Mensah received on Sunday.
The Ghana captain was sent off for bringing down Liverpool’s Luis Suárez in the later stages of the 2-0 Premier League defeat. His suspension threatened to compound the Black Cats’ mounting injury problems.
But Sunderland’s casualties are not as bad as first feared and Mensah will now be available for the April 3 visit to Manchester City, having avoided a one-match ban.
Mensah can consider himself fortunate. Manager Steve Bruce argued his centre-back had not denied a goalscoring opportunity because although the 28-year-old was the last defender, he believed Suárez did not have the ball under control when Mensah grabbed his torso and threw him to the ground.
But Bruce did acknowledge the offence was worthy of a yellow card. Had that been referee Kevin Friend’s course of action, Mensah would have missed the trip to Eastlands, with no recourse to appeal. Mensah had been booked for the earlier foul which led to Dirk Kuyt’s controversial opening goal. Although Friend was wrong to award a penalty – replays showed the offence was outside the area – there were no complaints about the booking.
“We thank the Football Association for considering our appeal and naturally we’re delighted he’ll be available for the game against Manchester City,” Bruce said. The successful appeal may allow Sunderland to be more cautious with fellow central defender Michael Turner’s return from injury. It is hoped the former Hull City player may play some part against City after injuring his cruciate knee ligaments colliding with a goalpost in November.
Injuries picked up by Kieran Richardson, Sulley Muntari and Anton Ferdinand on Sunday have proved less serious than first feared.
Richardson appears to have limited the damage to his hamstring by coming off so early in the game, while Muntari has joined Ghana’s squad for this weekend’s game against Congo, and will receive treatment on his calf from the Super Eagles’ medical team.
Ferdinand picked up a knock against the Reds, but was back in training yesterday.
