SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce insisted the FA Cup was still alive and kicking at the Stadium of Light after Fraizer Campbell’s brace broke the hearts of 8,000 travelling Barrow supporters.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is likely to stick with the 11 men who claimed a Barclays Premier League point at Blackburn for tomorrow’s FA Cup third round clash with non-league Barrow.

RISING Irish star David Meyler cut an impressive figure in his first competitive start for Sunderland yesterday, bossing midfield as the Black Cats drew 2-2 with Blackburn at Ewood Park.

Steve Bruce handed 20-year-old Irish midfielder David Meyler his first-team debut today as injury-hit Sunderland looked to get back to winning ways at Ewood Park.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is facing a fresh injury crisis ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to Blackburn.

Midfielder Lee Cattermole has once again missed out on a first home start since October as Sunderland entertain Everton this afternoon.

Sunderland will be without suspended central defender Michael Turner for the St Stephen's Day Day clash with Everton.

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Sunderland defender Michael Turner will undergo a late fitness test ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League trip to Manchester City.

ASTON VILLA boss Martin O’Neill refused to talk up his side’s chances of splitting up the Barclays Premier League’s big four after victory at Sunderland last night.

Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill handed the 11 men who won away at Manchester United on Saturday the chance to follow up the feat at Sunderland.

Kieran Richardson and Phil Bardsley return to the Sunderland squad for tomorrow night’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa.

SUNDERLAND are unassailable in their position as the northeast’s top club – the relegation of Middlesbrough and Newcastle last season took care of that – so new targets and aspirations are needed at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland 1 Portsmouth 1

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is keeping his fingers crossed over full-back George McCartney ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Portsmouth.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce remains hopeful that striker Kenwyne Jones can recover from a dead leg to return to the first team at Fulham on Sunday.

Sunderland striker Darren Bent has a fighting chance of being fit for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to Wigan.

Goalkeeper Marton Fulop is set to begin an extended run in the Sunderland side as Arsenal visit in the Barclays Premier League tomorrow.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce faces a major selection headache ahead of tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to Tottenham.

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Sunderland striker Darren Bent is facing a race to be fit for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League visit of West Ham, as he battles to overcome a knee problem.

BRAD GUZAN emerged as the Aston Villa hero as Martin O’Neill’s men secured their place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals at Sunderland’s expense last night.

Sunderland will be without leading scorer Darren Bent for tomorrow night’s Carling Cup clash against Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland defender Nyron Nosworthy has signed a new contract, committing him to the Barclays Premier League club until summer 2012.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will welcome back Kieran Richardson after suspension for tomorrow’s trip to Birmingham.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has made wholesale changes for this afternoon’s Premier League trip to Sunderland in the midst of a selection crisis.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will be without Kieran Richardson through suspension for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Liverpool.

Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole could face Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United tomorrow after returning to match fitness.

Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole could face Premier League leaders Manchester United tomorrow after returning to match fitness.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce sent out a strong side as he looked to book a place in the fourth round of the Carling Cup.

Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole is a major doubt for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to Burnley.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will make a late decision on whether to hand young goalkeeper Trevor Carson a senior debut against Hull.

Sunderland defender Danny Collins is not expected to be included in the squad for tomorrow’s Premier League trip to Stoke as the Potters attempt to sign him.

Sunderland have rejected a bid from Portsmouth for defender Nyron Nosworthy.

SUNDERLAND manager Steve Bruce was full of praise for slimmed-down midfielder Andy Reid after the midfielder’s role in a 4-1 Carling Cup victory at Norwich last night.

Andy Reid is expected back to training with his Sunderland teammates today, after a thigh problem ruled him out of the trip to the Reebok Stadium.

Steve Bruce could include four of his summer signings in his squad when he goes into his first Premier League game as Sunderland boss.

Kieran Richardson is set to return to Sunderland’s side against Hull tomorrow after recovering from a calf injury.

Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia could be without captain Dean Whitehead for tomorrow’s clash with Premier League leaders Manchester United.

RELEGATION battles are full of hoary old cliches, but the one that states that there is always a team that makes a late, kamikaze plummet into danger is currently causing sleepless nights by the thousands in Sunderland.

Kieran Richardson returns from suspension for Sunderland’s game against West Ham.

Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia could welcome back defenders Anton Ferdinand and Nyron Nosworthy for Sunday’s trip to Manchester City.

IF a side’s ability to win when they fall well short of their own high standards is a gauge of their ability to compete at the very highest level, Aston Villa’s top four rivals have every right to feel nervous as the season’s end-game approaches.

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