McCarthy injury woes pile up

New Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy is facing a triple injury blow as he prepares for his first game in charge against fellow Barclaycard Premiership strugglers Bolton tomorrow.

Midfielders Kevin Kilbane and Jason McAteer are both doubts with illness and a hamstring problem respectively, while defender Jody Craddock picked up a thigh problem in training yesterday.

England international Gavin McCann starts a two-match suspension after reaching 10 bookings for the season, while Emerson Thome and Claudio Reyna remain on the casualty list with knee problems.

Provisional squad: Sorensen, Macho, Wright, Gray, McCartney, Babb, Craddock, Williams, Kilbane, McAteer, El Karkouri, Arca, Thirlwell, Proctor, Thornton, Butler, Bellion, Phillips, Flo, Stewart, Kyle.