Arca hopes to return for crucial finale

Sunderland midfielder Julio Arca will jet back to the north east tomorrow determined to force his way into Peter Reid’s plans for Sunderland’s crucial final game of the season.

The 21-year-old Argentinian has been out of action since damaging a groin in February and has spent the last three weeks in South America undergoing intensive rehabilitation in a bid to recover full fitness.

But now he is on his way back and, after returning to full training on Monday, hopes to win back the place he made his own at the Stadium of Light last season as the Black Cats go in search of the point they need to send Ipswich, rather than themselves, down in next weekend’s closing day clash with relegated Derby.

‘‘It has been frustrating for me, but I haven’t given up hope of playing,’’ he told the club’s official website, www.safc.com.

‘‘I will return to Sunderland and see what happens. Hopefully the injury will be fine.’’

Arca, a £3.5m (€5.5m) capture from Argentinos Juniors in August 2000, was a revelation in his first season, but fatigue and injury have robbed him of a chance to repeat that form in what has developed into an intensely difficult campaign.

But while his hopes of making the team may be slim, Brazilian defender Emerson Thome is a better bet after recovering from a troublesome knee injury.

The former Sheffield Wednesday and Chelsea player has not figured since New Year’s Day and has twice undergone surgery this season.

But after a long haul back to full health and two reserve team games, the £4.5m (€7.3) joint record signing is now ready to fight for his place.