MARTIN OâNeill is ready to recall on-loan David Meyler from Hull City next week to help ease the clubâs injury crisis. The 23-year-old has been at the KC Stadium since early November and former Black Catsâ boss Steve Bruce, now manager of the Tigers, was hoping to extend the young Irishmanâs stay deep into the New Year. But those hopes will be dashed as OâNeill looks to deal with injuries, which could leave him with only two central midfielders to call upon in the remaining games of 2012. Sunderlandâs problems in the middle started when skipper Lee Cattermole was sidelined with a knee ligament injury in the game against QPR just over a fortnight ago. And they have been deepened, ironically, by injury to full-back Phil Bardsley who suffered ligament damage in the game against Reading on Tuesday. The obvious deputy for Bardsley is central midfielder Craig Gardner. And that leaves OâNeill with only Jack Colback, David Vaughan and Seb Larsson to call on to occupy the all-important central midfield roles. The manager came within a whisker of recalling Meyler on Friday, because Adam Johnson was struggling with the dead leg sustained in the win over Reading. If Johnson had been out, that would have meant Larsson moving to right-wing, and OâNeill having only Colback and Vaughan for central midfield with no obvious back-up. Itâs a situation that the manager canât really tolerate. And thatâs why Meylerâs return should be confirmed at some stage next week. OâNeill told the Gazette: âIâm thinking about recalling David Meyler for our Christmas programme. âIn fact, that looks like being a certainty. âIâve spoken to Steve Bruce about it, and he understands the situation. âHe knows weâre having a look at it, and he appreciates the position.â Meyler has played six games for Hull â three wins, two defeats and one draw as City have maintained their promotion push â and in his outing last week, the 2-1 win over Watford, he got his first goal for the club. OâNeill said: âDavid has done well for Hull, but heâs essentially our player. âHeâs played games for them, which is great, because thatâs what he needed and wasnât getting here. âBut the situation is different now, and weâll see how we are next week.â http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport...ll-ready-to-recall-loan-star-meyler-1-5228684
Meyler was improving with every game,but these things can't be helped. I don't want to see Oily come in for him,i'd rather have Mckenna.
Kin hell kempton. thought you was a Cairney fan!! Dont forget TC was on the bench last week instead of Mckenna.
Cairney is not a box to box midfielder he really needs to get stuck in more when we are out of possession. If he can improve on his defensive skills then we have a very good player on our hands. Evans has really benefited from having Meylers energy to take some of the the defensive burden from him. That Gael Bigrimana at Newcastle is a good player with tons of energy if Newcastle strengthen in January then he would be worth a look.
I'm with those calling for Cairney to replace Meyler, he's lost weight and bulked out in the last year. He needs (as said countless times) to be more physical aka McKenna/Meyler. Even Quinn who's skinny has a bit about him in tackling.
I'd use Cairney too. Meyler is frustrating as hell. He's a talented lad but he goes down too often and gives up on stuff so easily. Today in the SW corner he had the chance to keep the ball after an aerial challenge but started holding onto his face and went to ground, he only got a little knock he could easily have carried on. Hope he doesn't get recalled but if I had to pick one from the midfield 3 to leave it'd be him.
I thought Meyler improved as the match went on today. In the first half, him and Elmo were culpable of a few dodgy passes and seemed to marking each other. As the match went on, he got alot more space in and around him. Suppose that was because the Huddersfield strikers didn't come back and help out their midfielders. He's been a good player for us over the last few matches and it's a pity he's been recalled.
He hasn't actually been recalled, he's probably only going back if Sunderland pick up any more injuries.
It would be a shame to lose him, he has a touch of class about him and when he gets back to his best he will be too good for this division. Hopefully we can keep him and he will find his best with us as he could be a big player in our promotion push if we do
I'll be sorry to see Meyler go, but he aint our player so that is that. That being said if TC can produce the performance he put in today on a consistent basis (which is always the problem with him) then we shouldn't miss him too much. That being said, I wish Meyler was ours, what an engine he has!
The way he came across and waved at the fans at the end, I think he knows it's his last game for us. The worrying thing, maybe reading too much into it, but Elmohamady did it too.
What Meyler gives to us is presence and some tenacity (Ashbee mk 2) - still not up to speed at this level and probably wouldn't miss him at home but certainly would away - TC is better footballer but does not put his foot in - hopefully MON doesn't decide to recall him at last till the New Year
Yes Meyler is frustrating isnt he. I mean a CM player who scores goals, terrible skill to have. Best we send him straight back, it may upset team morale and hurt the feelings of Evans, Cairney, Mckenna and Oli. We are going to really miss him. I hope Brucey has another one lined up asap. The only negative about Meyler was that god awful goal celebration.
