No O'Shea..

MARTIN O’NEILL will be handed a triple boost for tomorrow’s FA Cup quarter-final replay, with Lee Cattermole, Seb Larsson and Phil Bardsley all returning to the fold.

But Sunderland will be without John O’Shea after the experienced defender limped off against QPR on Saturday with a calf strain.

O’Shea had been a doubt to feature at the weekend due to a niggling hamstring problem, which ruled him out of last week’s defeat at Blackburn Rovers.

The 30-year-old former Manchester United centre-back was given the go-ahead to play against the relegation strugglers, but he pulled up midway through the first half with a calf injury.

O’Shea, who had been used at right-back on his return to the team, with on-loan Sotirios Kyrgiakos partnering Michael Turner at centre-half, will now miss tomorrow’s tie against Everton in a blow to Black Cats boss O’Neill, with the Irish international in commanding form since the turn of the year.

But at least O’Neill has players returning, with full-back Bardsley expected to take O’Shea’s spot in the back four after missing Saturday’s encounter through illness.

O’Neill will also have skipper Cattermole back in the fold following the completion of a four-match ban, while Larsson will be included after being rested against QPR.

“Probably for the first time with Lee Cattermole coming back – with the exception of John O’Shea – we’ll have competition for places,” said O’Neill.

“Seb Larsson looked a wee bit tired looking on Tuesday night against Blackburn, so I decided to rest him against Rangers.

“Phil Bardsley was feeling unwell, otherwise he would have wanted to play, but this gave him a chance to rest up and both should be available for the Everton game.

“There’s no need for disappointment though from any of the players if they don’t make the starting line-up because there’s plenty of games coming up and plenty of opportunities for everyone to play their part.”

Ninth-placed Everton stayed level on points with Sunderland on Saturday, winning 2-0 at Swansea with second-half strikes from Leighton Baines and Nikica Jelavic.

 

oh well its a shame o'shea wont make it but bardo larsson and catts all back should be strong enough to beat everton at the sol imo..

 

doesn't say anything about Richardson but saying .... with the exception of John O’Shea – we’ll have competition for places,” said O’Neill.... could mean he might be back

my team would be...

----------------- Mignolet -----------------

Bardsley - Kyrgiakos ----- Turner -----Bridge

--- Gardner ---- Cattermole ---- Colback ---

-- Sessegnon --- Bendtner ----- McClean --

subs

Kilgallon
Gordon
Larsson
Richardson/Meyler
Vaughan
Campbell
Wickham

 

From what I've seen so far of Kyriagos, I like him tbh.

He will be a good aerial defense against Cahill imo.

 

Both him and turner played well on saturday. Both won everything in the air.

 

Control Cahill and we have a decent chance

 

This, and also keep alid on the hair bear(Fellaini?) and Baines who were both a nuisence in the last game.

 

Got to keep Colback and kyrgiakos in the team tommorow with Seb back in but Cattermole could be risky. Pienar is cup tied for Everton again.

 

I tend to fall into the bracket of 'why change a winning team,' but we could really use Larsson as I think chances for both sides may well be at a premium tomorrow, and we'll have to make the most of any set-pieces we get. Baines is always a nuisance down the left, Bardo and Larsson could possibly double up on him?

The question is who, if anyone, to drop for Larsson/Cattermole. Glad I'm not the manager!

 

worrying lack of mobility at centre half with Turner and the Greek though.

Jelavic and Cahill move around a lot