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Bent gets England call-up

2009-11-08T21:57:09Z

Darren Bent has been called up to Fabio Capello's latest England squad and what great news it is. He becomes the first Sunderland player to appear in an England shirt since Kevin Phillips played against the Netherlands in 2002.

However, despite the fact that it is wonderful to have a familiar name in the England set-up once again, and it is much deserved, how typical it is that it happens in a game that needlessly takes place in Qatar.

Bent will be traveling half way around the world to take part in the game, but it will be fascinating to see if the former Ipswich, Charlton and Spurs man gets to have a go against the Brazilians.

The call-up comes after Bent has scored eight goals this season and will no doubt cheer him up after his penalty miss at the weekend.

Congratulations Darren, you deserve it.

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Bent gets England call-up

2009-11-08T21:48:30Z

Bent will be traveling half way around the world to take part in the game, but it will be fascinating to see if the former Ipswich, Charlton and Spurs man gets to have a go against the Brazilians.

The call-up comes after Bent has scored eight goals this season and will no doubt cheer him up after his penalty miss at the weekend.

Congratulations Darren, you deserve it.

Follow me on Twitter here

Bent gets England call-up

2009-11-08T21:48:30Z

Bent will be traveling half way around the world to take part in the game, but it will be fascinating to see if the former Ipswich, Charlton and Spurs man gets to have a go against the Brazilians.

The call-up comes after Bent has scored eight goals this season and will no doubt cheer him up after his penalty miss at the weekend.

Congratulations Darren, you deserve it.

Follow me on Twitter here

Michael Turner out to beat idols Spurs again

2009-11-06T12:56:01Z

MICHAEL TURNER is ready to help Sunderland put the skids under his boyhood idols Spurs tomorrow.

The Black Cats defender wants to relive one of the most exciting times in his career in the process.

Turner was a member of the Hull City side which won back-to-back away games at Arsenal and Spurs last season as the Tigers took the top flight by storm in the first half of their debut Premier League season.

Turner, who will return to White Hart Lane as a Sunderland player this weekend, said: "It was a fairytale, really.

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Spurs vs Sunderland - injury crisis?

2009-11-06T11:40:26Z

When Steve Bruce decided to sell Carlos Edwards and Grant Leadbitter in the summer, it was met with understanding. They were two fringe players who were integral, certainly the former, but could not make to step up to the Premier League. The eye-raising transfer however came when Teemu Tainio left on loan to Birmingham.

Fans were happy, and critics impressed, with Bruce's decisions to bring in Lee Cattermole and Lorik Cana but it was plain to see from the off that both players would pick up suspensions and injuries, due to the very nature of their game. Without Tainio, Jordan Henderson was the only serious option for a replacement.

Tomorrow sees Sunderland travel to White Hart Lane without their first choice midfield. In fact, they will be without Bolo Zenden, Jon Mensah and Kenwyne Jones as well, with Fraizer Campbell remaining doubtful. It is at this point that one must question Bruce's decision to let the Finn leave, especially on loan.

Bruce doesn't appear to have enough players let alone enough quality to play a five-man midfield, especially with his apparent dislike of George McCartney meaning Kieran Richardson is playing as a left back.

So, who will play? Let's start from the back. Gordon, Bardsley, Turner are all starters, surely. The midfield injury problems may see the return of McCartney at left back, with one from Ferdinand, Nosworthy and Da Silva playing alongside Turner.

Richardson then will join Malbranque, Reid and Henderson in midfield. Bent will be playing against his old club, and he may be joined by Campbell, another ex-Spurs player if he can get fit in time. If not, then perhaps Daryl Murphy will play on the left of midfield or alongside Bent. Or maybe David Healy will get his first league start of the season. A long shot could be Roy O'Donovan who got a hatrick for the reserves in midweek.

Spurs meanwhile will welcome back Jermaine Defoe and Jonathan Woodgate - what will likely be the only two changes to the side that lost at Arsenal last weekend.

Bruce certainly has some options, and it will be very interesting to see what his team selection will be. What do you think?

Steve Bruce stands by Herita Ilunga comments

2009-11-06T08:57:32Z

STEVE Bruce is adamant he had every right to criticise the conduct of West Ham's Herita Ilunga for his part in Kenwyne Jones's sending-off last weekend.

Bruce earned the wrath of Hammers' assistant manager Steve Clarke this week after he accused Ilunga of play-acting in order to ensure Jones was shown a red card. That prompted Clarke to counter that Bruce should not be talking about opposition players, while also attacking what he saw as the persistent fouling of Black Cats skipper Lorik Cana during the game and arguing Ilunga was nothing more than "an innocent victim. Maybe I am not supposed to talk about other people's players," said Bruce, with more than a hint of sarcasm.

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Bruce: Darren Bent bears no Spurs grudges

2009-11-05T13:07:23Z

STEVE BRUCE insists Darren Bent's return to Spurs should not be billed as a grudge match.

Bent is set to face his former club at White Hart Lane on Saturday, three months after ending his unhappy two-year stint with the Londoners and moving to Wearside.

The England striker was frustrated when Spurs appeared to drag their feet before sanctioning his exit, and criticised chairman Daniel Levy on his Twitter web page - a move which earned him a fine before he left the club.

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Fraizer Campbell is keen to take his Cats chance

2009-11-05T09:10:17Z

SUNDERLAND striker Fraizer Campbell is confident he will recover from his niggling hip injury in time to finally stake his claim for a regular starting role in Steve Bruce's Black Cats revolution.

Campbell is in line to profit from Kenwyne Jones' three-match ban for shoving Herita Ilunga last week, but is still waiting for the green light to return to training.

That is a concern for the 22-year-old forward but he hopes to re-join the rest of the squad today with a view to playing against Spurs, the club where last year he spent a frustrating season-long loan.

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SAFC ace Cattermole set for quick comeback

2009-11-04T13:32:03Z

DRIVING force Lee Cattermole could return to Sunderland action a month ahead of schedule, according to Steve Bruce.

The England Under-21 midfielder damaged his medial knee ligament in the Black Cats' home win against Liverpool three weeks ago, and was initially expected to be sidelined for three months - ruling him out until the New Year.

The £6m buy from Bruce's old club Wigan was a star performer in Sunderland's campaign before his injury.

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Steve Bruce is calling for high workrate

2009-11-04T09:22:33Z

STEVE Bruce has demanded that his outfield players cover as much ground as midfield generals like Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard as part of his project to make Sunderland one of the most industrious teams in the top flight.

The Black Cats boss is using detailed Opta stats to monitor the work-rate of his squad - and wants all of them to be matching the prodigious 13km that the likes of Lampard and Gerrard routinely cover in games.

And that challenge has been tackled with relish by emerging midfield star Jordan Henderson, whose tigerish display against West Ham over the weekend confirmed his arrival as a Premier League performer.

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Bruce urges Sunderland to cut out mistakes

2009-11-03T13:12:00Z

STEVE BRUCE says Sunderland have to iron out their inconsistencies if they are to build on their promising start.

The Black Cats have produced outstanding performances against the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool of late, as well as staging a brave fightback at the weekend to come from two goals down and earn a point at home to West Ham despite playing for 45 minutes with 10 men.

But the Wearsiders have blotted their copybook with below-par displays against some of the Premier League's lesser lights, losing at Stoke, Burnley and Birmingham.

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Craig Gordon saves Steve Bruce a new signing

2009-11-03T08:50:04Z

STEVE Bruce has shelved plans to strengthen Sunderland's goalkeeping department after hailing Craig Gordon for rediscovering the form that made him Britain's most expensive stopper.

After an injury-ravaged campaign that saw him play just 12 Premier League games for the Black Cats last season there were question marks surrounding his long-term Stadium of Light future - with Bruce going as far as drawing up a shortlist of possible replacements.

Gordon's slow recovery from a knee operation meant that it was an understandable back-up plan, but after a series of fine displays since regaining the number one jersey, Bruce's worries have been eased.

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Andy Reid: Steve Bruce has made us fighters

2009-11-02T13:22:19Z

ANDY REID says boss Steve Bruce has put the fighting spirit back into Sunderland.

The Black Cats came from 2-0 down to rescue a point against West Ham at the Stadium of Light - despite playing half the match with only 10 men after Kenwyne Jones was sent off in first-half injury time.

Reid had already pulled a goal back by then, but the 10 men went on to dominate the second half.

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Cana: I'll be there to Spur team on

2009-11-02T09:06:41Z

SUNDERLAND captain Lorik Cana has promised to be there for his team-mates at White Hart Lane on Saturday, even if he will be unable to lead them from the pitch.

The Albanian is, along with Kenwyne Jones, suspended for a trip to North London which will be as much a test of the Black Cats' mettle as their ability.

They showed real grit to come from 2-0 down to claim a 2-2 draw with West Ham United at the weekend, despite losing Jones to what Cana felt was a a harsh red card on the stroke of half-time. Cana can consider himself fortunate not to have been dismissed too after a succession of fouls, the first of which brought his fifth caution this season and a ban.

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Anton Ferdinand cuts family ties

2009-10-29T14:54:15Z

ANTON FERDINAND will suspend his 'family' ties for 90 minutes at the weekend as Sunderland take on his old club West Ham at the Stadium of Light.

The defender regards the Hammers staff as his second family after spending 14 years Upton Park, joining the club at the age of nine and following his elder brother Rio through the youth ranks to the first-team.

But Ferdinand left London for Sunderland 14 months ago and, while he remains a big Hammers fan, he is only interested in helping the Wearsiders win on Saturday - especially after losing home and away against his old club last season.

"I'm looking forward to the game because I'll get to see a lot of people who saw me grow up through the years," said the £8m defender.

"I was there from the age of nine and they are like a second family to me. But I want to win with Sunderland. We haven't beaten West Ham since I left, and it would be great to get a win on Saturday at home.

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