Dean Whitehead

By The Black Cats
May 8 2009

Sunderland Boss Ricky Sbragia could recall Teemu Tainio for his side's trip to Bolton Wanderers tomorrow. The Finnish midfielder was only named on the bench for last weekend's 2-0 home loss to Everton after feeling the effects of an intense period of action since recovering from a knee injury.

But Sbragia says Tainio has looked sharp in training and is certainly in his mind as the manager looks to get his team to rediscover the winning formula.
 
Sbragia said: "Teemu said he was feeling a bit stiff on the morning of the Everton game so I left him out.
 
"I couldn't afford to risk him in that game and then lose him for the last three games of the season.
 
"He's an important player for us and he has played well recently.
 
"He'll be fine for tomorrow."

Victory at the Reebok Stadium would represent a huge step towards ensuring Barclays Premier League football for the Black Cats next season and Sbragia could switch from a 4-4-2 formation to 4-5-1.
 
He said: "Playing one up front has worked quite well for us in the past in terms of making sure we are not too open.
 
"Of course, the other side of it is that we have to get more bodies forward to support the lone striker if we are going to score goals."
 
Sunderland bring no fresh injuries into tomorrow's game. Goalkeeper Craig Gordon misses out again as he has an exploratory operation on his injured knee tomorrow.
 
Defenders George McCartney (calf) and Nyron Nosworthy (hamstring) are progressing positively, but tomorrow comes too soon for them.
 
Bolton are confident influential duo Matt Taylor and Kevin Davies will recover from knocks they picked up in their goalless draw at Wigan last weekend.
 
Megson's men are eight points clear of the relegation zone and need one more point to be safe.