Preview: Sunderland v Middlesbrough (Sun)

by JP Lonergan , 28 January 2012

Nicklas Bendtner is the main absentee from the Sunderland squad for Sunday's FA Cup derby game at Middlesbrogh.


Don’t forget - Sunderland v Middlesbrough live on Setanta Ireland, Sun Jan 29th, 1.30pm KO

The on-loan Arsenal Dane suffered a broken nose and other facial injuries in his side's 2-0 win over Swansea City in the Premier League last week. He is expected to be out until mid-February, so Connor Wickham may start in the Cup clash.

Another striker, Fraizer Campbell, is in contention for a first senior appearance in well over a year after a second long-term knee injury. The former Manchester United man has made a number of reserve appearances in recent weeks.

Midfield man Jack Colback is closing on his return from an ankle problem.

Suspensions and injuries are troubling Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray ahead of the game, with Kevin Thomson and former Black Cats midfielder Julio Arca both banned after receiving red cards in last week's 3-1 defeat against struggling Coventry City in the Championship.

The out-of-sorts promotion hopefuls could again have Danny Coyne in goal as Jason Steele is doubtful with a thigh strain. Youngster Connor Ripley is standing by.

Striker Bart Ogbeche is missing with a hamstring injury, with midfielder Nicky Baily potentially out until April with medial ligament damage.

Sunderland (from):
Mignolet, Westwood, Bardsley, O'Shea, Brown, Bramble, Turner, Cattermole, Richardson, Gardner, Vaughan, Larsson, Elmohamady, McClean, Meyler, Colback, Sessegnon, Wickham, Ji, Campbell.

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Pos
Team P W D L +/- PTS
1.
Man City
25
19
3
3
45
60
2.
Man Utd
25
18
4
3
36
58
3.
Tottenham
25
16
5
4
24
53
4.
Arsenal
25
13
4
8
13
43
5.
Chelsea
25
12
7
6
13
43
6.
Newcastle
25
12
6
7
0
42
7.
Liverpool
25
10
9
6
6
39
8.
Norwich
25
9
8
8
-4
35
9.
Sunderland
25
9
6
10
8
33
10.
Everton
25
9
6
10
-1
33
11.
Swansea
25
7
9
9
-4
30
12.
Fulham
25
7
9
9
-5
30
13.
Stoke
25
8
6
11
-14
30
14.
West Brom
25
8
5
12
-6
29
15.
Aston Villa
25
6
10
9
-5
28
16.
QPR
25
5
6
14
-17
21
17.
Blackburn
25
5
6
14
-19
21
18.
Wolverhampton
25
5
6
14
-21
21
19.
Bolton
25
6
2
17
-22
20
20.
Wigan
25
4
7
14
-27
19
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