Guessing it virtually picks itself with the injuries... MATT Kilgallon has returned to the training field after shaking off the injury niggles which hampered Sunderland at the death at Manchester City. Centre-half Kilgallon (pictured) excelled in last weekendâs 3-3 draw at the Etihad Stadium, in his first start since January after taking the place of on-loan Sotirios Kyrgiakos. But the 28-year-old was hamstrung by both cramp and an ankle blow in the closing stages against the title challengers, before eventually being forced off in the 81st minute. Sunderlandâs two-goal lead was wiped out within five minutes of Kilgallonâs departure as the Black Cats struggled to adapt at the back. But Kilgallon, back in the first-team picture under Martin OâNeill after being frozen out under predecessor Steve Bruce, has trained for the last two days. And with fellow defenders Titus Bramble, John OâShea and Wes Brown still sidelined, former Leeds and Sheffield United centre-back Kilgallon is set to continue alongside Michael Turner at home to Champions League-chasing Spurs on Saturday (12.45pm). Black Cats boss OâNeill told the Echo: âEverything was happening to him against Manchester City. âBut he trained yesterday when we did one v ones and two v twos which I donât think he was overly pleased about! âIt keeps them fit though and he did very well. âHe didnât want to come off against City, but he had cramp for about five minutes. âThe last thing you want in that situation is to get turned and not be able to get a challenge in. âIt upset our rhythm a little bit when he went off because heâd been doing particularly well. It was disappointing from that point of view.â OâNeill has a couple of other injury concerns ahead of the Easter double header, as Sunderland face Spurs and then Everton within the space of 48 hours. Skipper Lee Cattermole, who is carrying a knee ligament problem, will not train again until tomorrow, while striker Fraizer Campbell has been similarly troubled by a knee injury. âWeâve got a couple of boys whoâll not do much training,â added OâNeill. âLee hasnât been in training so far this week with the knee injury, but by Saturday we hope heâll be OK. âIn training on Tuesday, Fraizer Campbell stretched himself a little bit, too. Iâm not too sure how serious that will be.â
after reading that I would go with... ------------------- Mignolet ------------------- Bardsley --- Turner --------- Kilgallon ---- Ricco Larsson ---- Gardner ------ Colback --- McClean --------- Sessegnon ------ Bendtner ---------- subs Kyrgiakos Bridge Gordon Vaughan Meyler Ji Wickham give Catts and Campbell longer to get back to full fitness, at this stage of the season would be daft to play them with niggles as we need to get them through to the end of the season
What's the craic with Westwood? I know Mig's pulled off 2 or 3 cracking saves in the last few games but he always looks a bit dicey to me. Sort of edgy & a bit nervous if you like.
Funny how one of the main things Bruce was slated for was for playing Sess as a striker. "Any mug can see that Sessegnon isn't and never will be a striker." "Bruce is proving himself to be an idiot by even thinking of putting Sessegnon as striker." And now you all pick him in that position...
wouldn't really call him a striker, he does the job that Aimar done for Benfica last night were he is basically given a free role and allowed to do exactly what he wants
Wouldn't say it's a striker role more of an CAM, he's given a free role and I still don't think he's a striker but if he has someone to play off like bendtner he seems to do better.
The thing with Bruce was that he tried to use Sess as his main striker and on occasion a lone striker, that's where he was getting it wrong. If Bendtner is leading the line then Sess is just off him linking up the midfield and forward this is his best position.
Colback a definate starter for me so its pretty much as above just torn between Gardner or giving Meyler a couple of games from the start.
I think we look a better side with Colback included. He's getting better and better and seems to have a calming influence. Not bad for a young, inexperienced lad. I'd like to see Meyler get a run out as Gardner has been a bit hit and miss.
