Trio target comeback for Sunderland

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy is hoping for a triple injury boost as he prepares for the St Stephen's Day clash with Bolton.

McCarthy, who was yesterday given a vote of confidence by fans in a telephone poll, knows a 10th successive Barclays Premiership defeat would leave even the most optimistic of supporters believing relegation is a certainty.

However, he is keeping his fingers crossed that key trio Stephen Elliott, Stephen Wright and Tommy Miller could be available for the Stadium of Light clash.

Striker Elliott, one of the stars of last season’s Coca-Cola Championship-winning side, has missed the last five games with a troublesome back injury, while full-back Wright has not played since the opening day of the season after damaging a knee then a calf muscle in training.

Former Ipswich midfielder Miller strained a hamstring in the 2-0 defeat by Liverpool on November 30 and has sat out the last two games.

The Black Cats do not play this weekend after the clash with the Reds was brought forward because of their World Club Championship commitments, and that gives Julio Arca a chance to recover from his first start in 11 games at Charlton at the weekend.

“We appreciate Julio, but he appreciates the other guys as well,” McCarthy said.

“He was in a hard working, grafting team which won the Championship last season and he is one special part of that.

“We are delighted to have him back but he is not any more or less than anyone else in that team, let me tell you. It has to be a collective thing.

“I’ve told him he won’t get us out of this mire on his own, but he certainly makes a big difference.”