George McCartney

By The Black Cats
January 14 2009

Sunderland Defender George McCartney will see a specialist later today, the full-back has been sidelined since the beginning of November after suffering a foot injury which ultimately forced him to go under the surgeon's knife is hoping to get the go-ahead to return to action soon.

McCartney, , who is in his second spell at the club after moving back to the Stadium of Light from West Ham in August, has participated in some light training in the last few days.

Black Cats boss Ricky Sbragia is hoping the defender can return to action by the start of next month.

"George did the warm-up today and he seems happy. He'll see a specialist and we'll go from there," said Sbragia.

This is welcome news for Sunderland who are short on quality defenders and the return of McCartney should bolster the Mackem defence to help in their drive up the Premiership league table.

McCartney has spoken of his frustration at missing Sunderland's last 11 games.

"To come back to Sunderland and be out injured for so long has been really disappointing," said the Northern Ireland left-back. "Hopefully I'll be able to help the team out sooner rather than later."

Phil Bardsley, meanwhile, is back in training after missing last Saturday's game at Middlesbrough because of flu.