KIERAN Richardson is predicting no more mid-season slumps for Sunderland after Steve Bruce’s summer recruitment drive gave them a fighting chance of warding off any injury crisis.

The Black Cats saw their hopes of a push for Europe ravaged by a succession of trauma injuries to top players last spring, a situation which saw them reduced to filling their bench with promising Academy players for most of the last month of the season.

That nightmare scenario motivated manager Steve Bruce in the transfer market this summer as he looked to add bulk and numbers, as well as ability, to his Black Cats squad.

Eight new arrivals have given him cover in every key position, and should mitigate against another nose dive as the season reaches its business end. A high-tech GPS system has also been invested in to help the club’s medical staff keep track of the condition of key men.

Richardson is one of several members of the Sunderland squad coming back from serious injuries and feels he is reaching his peak again after a long period out.

He said: “Last season, maybe the squad was a bit light in certain areas. Now, there seems to be a much better spread. Hopefully, there won’t be the gaps any more.

“When we got injuries last season, there were times when we looked a little bit light. Hopefully, this season, even if there are injuries, we’ll have players who can come in and do as good a job as the person who’s been playing on a regular basis.

“That’s great and, as a club, that’s what we need to progress and get an even better position this season.”

One potential problem with investing so much in the summer is whether the team will click in time for the big kick-off but Richardson (pictured right) reckons the timing of the signings has helped ensure that isn’t an issue.