Breen targets top spot

Sunderland skipper, Ireland's Gary Breen, returns from injury tonight hoping to take his side to the top of the Coca-Cola Championship for the first time this season.

Beating Wolves at Molineux by three goals or more would ensure the Black Cats reaching top spot over current leaders Ipswich by virtue of goal difference.

Breen and centre-back partner Steve Caldwell will return at the expense of Neill and Danny Collins, who have both impressed deputising for the injured pair.

“They have done brilliantly and I’m delighted for them,” Breen said. “They have done really well to come from the level they have come from to play and they have got the correct attitude to go further.

“Their performances have made it a lot easier for me watching the games because it’s invariably very frustrating missing games if the team are dropping points, you feel you should be out there helping.

“But they have not. We have been getting some fantastic results and all credit to them and to the manager for picking them up from where he did.”

The match is Mick McCarthy’s 100th in charge of the Wearsiders, but he wants his players to be concentrating on winning rather than his milestone.

The former Republic of Ireland manager endured a wretched start to his reign - the Black Cats lost the first 11 games of his tenure and were relegated from the top flight – but have now mounted a serious promotion bid.

“I’ve been told that this week, but it’s got no bearing on anything except that it feels like it’s been 100 games this season – this week sometimes,” he said.

“People like to pull stats out and it makes for good reading and good interviews and good television and radio at times, but not with me because it doesn’t bother me. It’s only important because it’s a game to win three points.

“You just take the first games out of it and then the rest of them, absolutely, it’s been great. I’ve enjoyed it.”

Wolves boss Glenn Hoddle could bring 16-year-old Mark Davies into the squad, while the former England coach has also denied speculation linking the club with a move for Nottingham Forest striker David Johnson.

The Black Country club had won three games on the trot before last Saturday’s FA cup defeat at Arsenal and Hoddle has been impressed with the form of centre-back Jody Craddock, who faces his former club tonight.

“There’s a lot of things we’re working on on the defensive side that he’s cottoned on to,” Hoddle told the Wolverhampton Express and Star. There’s still a lot of things we can improve on but Jody is slowly but surely taking that on board.”

“It’s a bonus if you don’t have to keep juggling your back four, but at least Jody and Joleon (Lescott) have been playing together which makes it easier for them.”

Should Sunderland go top, Ipswich could reclaim the lead with a win at Sheffield United tomorrow, while third-placed Wigan host Stoke at the JJB Stadium.

Reading need to gain ground on the top three by winning at home against Plymouth, while Derby’s fine recent form could continue against Brighton at the Withdean Stadium.

Leeds travel to Burnley, Leicester host Crewe, Millwall host QPR in a London derby, while Preston and Coventry clash at Deepdale.

At the bottom, Gillingham travel to Vicarage Road to face Watford while bottom plays second bottom when Forest clash with Rotherham at Millmoor.