George McCartney

By The Black Cats
January 23 2009

Sunderland left back George McCartney is set to make his return to the side after being out through injury in tomorrows FA Cup tie with Blackburn Rovers sponsored by E.ON. McCartney, rejoined the Black Cats last summer from West Ham, will return to the squad and is set to start the game on the bench.

The left-back made eight appearances for the Black Cats this season before suffering a foot injury, which ultimately needed surgery. His last game was at Chelsea on November 1.

Boss Ricky Sbragia confirmed: ""George has trained all week and we're happy with him. He might play some part tomorrow, more than likely as a sub coming on late in the game."

Sbragia will make a number of changes for the fourth-round tie with Blackburn at the Sunderland Stadium of Light.

David Healy, Michael Chopra, Grant Leadbitter and Andy Reid are all likely to feature.

Danny Collins has recovered from a knock and is set to play but Kieran Richardson, who is on the mend from an ankle injury, is unlikely to return and defender Nyron Nosworthy is sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Teemu Tainio is suspended while Steed Malbranque is available after serving a one-game ban.

Striker Anthony Stokes is back from a loan spell with Sheffield United and could feature.

Sunderland (from): Fulop, Colgan, Chimbonda, Ferdinand, Collins, Bardsley, McCartney, McShane, Edwards, Malbranque, Leadbitter, Whitehead, Reid, Yorke, Diouf, Murphy, Chopra, Healy, Jones, Cisse, Stokes.