Bendtner in Ricco out?

NICKLAS Bendtner has suffered no serious damage from the knee injury which forced him out of Sunderland’s 1-0 win over Liverpool.

And the good news for Sunderland is that the big Dane is expected to be fit enough to face Everton in Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final, if selected.

Bendtner received several minutes of on-field treatment at the weekend before being stretchered off in the wake of a clumsy challenge from Martin Skrtel late in the game against the Reds at the Stadium of Light.

And that left the club waiting anxiously to see whether – with Stephane Sessegnon already suspended – they would be going into Saturday’s big tie deprived of the services of the on-loan Arsenal man as well.

Today, though, manager Martin O’Neill revealed: “The news on Nicklas is encouraging.

“We had originally been expecting to wait 48 hours for swelling to go down around the knee before we could consider a scan.

“But the knee itself got much better in the 24 hours immediately afterwards, which looked good and it meant he felt quietly confident about doing a little bit of training yesterday.

“The very fact that he felt confident enough to want to try it out is obviously a good sign, but we just have to wait and see how it develops over the week and see whether there’s any reaction.”
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KIERAN Richardson’s chances of returning to the fold for Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final have been hit after the Sunderland left-back suffered a relapse in training.

Richardson missed last Saturday’s victory over Liverpool after succumbing to the calf strain sustained in the closing stages of the Tyne-Wear derby six days earlier.

Black Cats boss Martin O’Neill had been hopeful of having Richardson back at his disposal for this weekend’s trip to Goodison Park as Sunderland look to secure a place in the final four of the cup.

But the 27-year-old was troubled by the injury when he returned to training earlier this week, with O’Neill now forced to play a waiting game over the former Manchester United man’s condition.

O’Neill told the Echo: “Kieran did a little bit of training on Monday and felt something again.

“We’ll see what he’s like towards the end of the week.

 

Good news about Bendtner - think he's don eOK last couple of games - not spectacular but OK - Scored 2 as well so all good IMO

As for Ricco - the good thing is that we haven't missed him at LB - Bridge fit in perfectly for the match at the weekend and it looked like he had been playing there all season which is also all good.

Nervous and excited all at the same time! Anyone remember the last time we played against Tim Cahill in the FA Cup - Sure it was AT Old Trafford vs Milwall and he stamped on McAteer and should;ve been sent off then scored the winner... Payback time I hope

 

I saw Ricco walk into the stadium on Sat, and then run back out into the car park once he realised he'd left somthing in his car. He looked fine to me!

 

That well known fitness test.....running to the car....

 

I'm not one of Bendtners biggest fans but we need his height on Saturday and reckon he'll be well up for it. Ricco will be more of a miss although Bridge did a good job last week and will only get better the more game time he gets.

 

Bendner in, Ricco out. I can just about live with that. Step in Bridge, make L/B your own. Looks accomplished as opposed to ...........well, extremely unaccomplished.

 

Thought Bridge was poor or nervous 1st half last week but was much better 2nd half. Didn't get forward with JM like Ricco does tho.

 

I thought he looked pretty good 2nd half and when you consider how little football the lad has played recently, its an even better show.

I'm dreaming of a chelsea semi or cup final, just so he can say hello to his old pal john 'shags your pals wife' terry.

Now wouldn't that be fun?

 

If Bendtner scores in 3 games in a row, then we don't deserve to go through.