Elmohamady the makem

AHMED ELMOHAMADY says Sunderland are determined to claim the bragging rights when they face Middlesbrough in the FA Cup tomorrow.

The Black Cats take on near-neighbours Boro at the Stadium of Light in the fourth round of the competition, with a place in the last 16 at stake.

While the Sunderland-Boro rivalry is nothing like as intense as that between the Wearsiders and Newcastle, Elmohamady says local pride is still at stake.

The Egypt international said: “People might say this is not a derby like Newcastle, but it is still a derby.

“It is still much more important to our fans we win a game against a team which is just down the road.

“We know we can give the fans a good day if we can beat Boro and go into the next round.”


AHMED ELMOHAMADY says Sunderland are determined to claim the bragging rights when they face Middlesbrough in the FA Cup tomorrow.

The Black Cats take on near-neighbours Boro at the Stadium of Light in the fourth round of the competition, with a place in the last 16 at stake.

While the Sunderland-Boro rivalry is nothing like as intense as that between the Wearsiders and Newcastle, Elmohamady says local pride is still at stake.

The Egypt international said: “People might say this is not a derby like Newcastle, but it is still a derby.

“It is still much more important to our fans we win a game against a team which is just down the road.

“We know we can give the fans a good day if we can beat Boro and go into the next round.”




Elmohamady has yet to start under new Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill, although he has made frequent substitute appearances in recent weeks.

With O’Neill expected to make only limited changes for tomorrow’s cup game, the 24-year-old may well find himself on the bench again.

However, the winger is prepared to be patient and wait for his chance to impress.

He added: “People might talk about the manager making changes and fielding a weakened team, but I just cannot see that happening.

“He will field as strong a team as he possibly can – maybe there will be a change or two, maybe tactical, maybe to bring in a player who has come into good form – but this is a game he will want to win and I don’t think he will risk changes just for the sake of making them.

“I would love to start the game, but it does not matter to me if I don’t – I will still want Sunderland to win just as much as I always do.

“This is one thing that I can say about all the players in the squad – we are all looking forward to the Middlesbrough game.

“We know it is massively important and we all want to see a Sunderland victory whether or not we start the game are on the bench.

“It is a big, big game for us and we are all in this together.”

Elmohamady played in the reserves’ 1-0 win over Bolton in midweek, delivering the corner which led to Craig Lynch’s first-half winner.

That outing has at least given him the chance to build up some match-fitness ahead of tomorrow’s game.

He said: “It was good to be involved in a competitive game again.

“It helps to sharpen you up and it will be a help for the Middlesbrough game, if I am involved, that I had put some practice in during the week.”




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Elmohamady has yet to start under new Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill, although he has made frequent substitute appearances in recent weeks.

With O’Neill expected to make only limited changes for tomorrow’s cup game, the 24-year-old may well find himself on the bench again.

However, the winger is prepared to be patient and wait for his chance to impress.

He added: “People might talk about the manager making changes and fielding a weakened team, but I just cannot see that happening.

“He will field as strong a team as he possibly can – maybe there will be a change or two, maybe tactical, maybe to bring in a player who has come into good form – but this is a game he will want to win and I don’t think he will risk changes just for the sake of making them.

“I would love to start the game, but it does not matter to me if I don’t – I will still want Sunderland to win just as much as I always do.

“This is one thing that I can say about all the players in the squad – we are all looking forward to the Middlesbrough game.

“We know it is massively important and we all want to see a Sunderland victory whether or not we start the game are on the bench.

“It is a big, big game for us and we are all in this together.”

Elmohamady played in the reserves’ 1-0 win over Bolton in midweek, delivering the corner which led to Craig Lynch’s first-half winner.

That outing has at least given him the chance to build up some match-fitness ahead of tomorrow’s game.

He said: “It was good to be involved in a competitive game again.

“It helps to sharpen you up and it will be a help for the Middlesbrough game, if I am involved, that I had put some practice in during the week.”