Arca faces fitness battle

Sunderland midfielder Julio Arca is facing a fight to be fit for Saturday’s Premiership clash at Everton.

The 25-year-old Argentinian aggravated hamstring problem during Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat by Blackburn, and although he managed to finish the 90 minutes, he admits he is struggling for the game at Goodison Park.

“It’s a little sore, but not as bad as last time,” he told the club’s official website, www.safc.com. “We’ll have to wait and see.

“I felt it a little during the game, but it was not bad, I was able to play on. But I’ll only play against Everton if I’m 100%.”

Caretaker boss Kevin Ball could do without losing one of his more dependable players with stand-in skipper Steve Caldwell also battling against a similar injury.

Sunderland have lost their three games under their temporary boss, and could slip out of the Barclays Premiership this weekend if they are defeated and other results go against them.

Meanwhile, Ball will give several members of his first-team squad a chance to get some football under their belts for the reserves tonight.

Ben Alnwick, Nyron Nosworthy, Tommy Miller, Christian Bassila and Anthony Le Tallec, none of whom were involved against Rovers, will play against Bolton’s second string in Durham.