SUNDERLAND v Portsmouth: Steve Bruce hopeful George McCartney wins fitness fight

11 December 2009 11:49
Battler: McCartney is against time to be fit[LNB] Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is keeping his fingers crossed over full-back George McCartney ahead of the Barclays Premier League clash with Portsmouth. [LNB]The Northern Ireland international is battling against the hamstring strain which kept him out of last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Fulham amid a growing defensive crisis.[LNB]Phil Bardsley and Kieran Richardson, who occupied the full-backberths at Craven Cottage, are both suspended, while Craig Gordon(broken arm), Anton Ferdinand (ankle), John Mensah (calf), LeeCattermole (medial ligament) and Bolo Zenden (hamstring) are all out. [LNB]Brucewill be forced to use the depth of his squad and has drafted in18-year-old striker Ryan Noble after his FA Youth Cup hat-trick onMonday. [LNB]Provisional squad:Fulop, Carson, McCartney, Da Silva, Turner, Nosworthy, Cana, Reid,Malbranque, Henderson, Campbell, Jones, Bent, Healy, Murphy, Meyler,Reed, Noble.[LNB]CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE REST OF THE WEEKEND'S PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM NEWS [LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail