Marcos Alonso to make debut in Sunderland v Carlisle

Marcos Alonso to make debut in Sunderland v Carlisle

NEW signing Marcos Alonso is in line for his Sunderland debut this weekend as Gus Poyet looks to juggle his squad in a crowded fixture list.

The head coach has signalled his desire to win both of Sunderland’s up-and-coming cup ties and will send out teams he feels can do the club justice in both the FA Cup game against Carlisle this Sunday and the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester United on Tuesday.

But changes in the first team look to be inevitable with so many games coming thick and fast.

And with the game against League One opposition this weekend offering Poyet greatest scope for experimentation, the on-loan Fiorentina left-back stands by to start.

The 23-year-old, who has tasted life in the Premier League previously with Bolton Wanderers, was unavailable for Sunderland’s game against Aston Villa on New Year’s Day.

But he is eligible for this weekend’s game and should he play, it will be the second time in consecutive seasons he has appeared in an FA Cup tie involving the Black Cats.

He starred as Bolton beat Sunderland in the FA Cup third round a year ago – the Spaniard playing in both the 2-2 draw at the Reebok and the replay which Bolton won 2-0 at the Stadium of Light.

The defender said: “The stadium is great and also the fans – when we played here last year the atmosphere was incredible.”

Should Alonso play, he is likely to be one of a number of changes on a team-sheet which will eagerly anticipated by the club’s fringe players.

Cabral and El-Hadji Ba have been on the bench in recent games, though neither have got any first-team minutes under their belt.

And another summer signing, Swedish Under 19 winger David Moberg Karlsson will also hope for an opportunity.

Poyet will face a decision over whether to retain the erratic central defensive partnership of Modibo Diakite and Valentin Roberge, or whether to restore Wes Brown to the side after the completion of his three-game ban.

Seb Larsson and Craig Gardner have been in and out of Sunderland’s side in recent weeks and will be hoping to have the opportunity to start.

And Ji Dong-won, who didn’t make a single Gus Poyet squad prior to the New Year’s game against Villa, will be hoping to make it two starts in a row this weekend.

 

Karlsson and Mavrias should have been playing weeks ago !, and I thought that was the ex Liverpool player! Alonso. They all come here and give us bull*** like the stadium and fans are great etc, but don't tell us they will be ****e like half the players signed. Too little too late Short.

 

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His ****balls are made of Crystal Commo!!

 

Every time I read a post by Monty987 I just want to kill myself. You are the most depressing git. Does any body have any extra sleeping pills they don't want

 

He's a mag mate.

Probably the best WUM on here because nobody else seems to notice.

 

I've noticed, but just don't usually give him the satisfaction of a response..

 

Hard to swallow aren't they? His posts that is, an overdose would be easy in comparison.

 

he makes me laugh, coz he's so absurb.