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.

“Jeff and Carl are hungry to get into the Premiership and they have been great for me,” he told the club’s official website, www.safc.com.

“Carl’s got Premiership quality on the ball, he gets us playing and he’s enjoying himself here. He’s a real pivotal part of the team.

“And I have to say that Jeff Whitley has been different class, putting tackles in and winning the ball.

“Without those kind of players, Julio Arca can’t play, Marcus Stewart doesn’t get his goals and Stephen Elliott is not the same.

“All the players contribute here, but those two in the middle of midfield have been top class.”