McCarthy praises midfield duo

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy has singled out midfield grafters Carl Robinson and Jeff Whitley for special praise as they attempt to nudge their side back towards the Barclays Premiership.

Marcus Stewart’s hat-trick against Watford on Saturday may have claimed the headlines as the Black Cats cemented their third place in the Coca-Cola Championship table, but it was the efforts of the Welsh international and his Northern Ireland counterpart which once again caught McCarthy’s eye.