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
38
28
5
5
64
89
2.
Man Utd
38
28
5
5
56
89
3.
Arsenal
38
21
7
10
25
70
4.
Tottenham
38
20
9
9
25
69
5.
Newcastle
38
19
8
11
5
65
6.
Chelsea
38
18
10
10
19
64
7.
Everton
38
15
11
12
10
56
8.
Liverpool
38
14
10
14
7
52
9.
Fulham
38
14
10
14
-3
52
10.
West Brom
38
13
8
17
-7
47
11.
Swansea
38
12
11
15
-7
47
12.
Norwich
38
12
11
15
-14
47
13.
Sunderland
38
11
12
15
-1
45
14.
Stoke
38
11
12
15
-17
45
15.
Wigan
38
11
10
17
-20
43
16.
Aston Villa
38
7
17
14
-16
38
17.
QPR
38
10
7
21
-23
37
18.
Bolton
38
10
6
22
-31
36
19.
Blackburn
38
8
7
23
-30
31
20.
Wolverhampton
38
5
10
23
-43
25
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