Sunderland FC

• Founded:1879
• Manager:Steve Bruce

• Ground:Stadium Of Light
• Capacity:49000

Next Game: 18-Feb-2012 17:15

Sunderland

VS

Arsenal

Full match preview

Last Game: 11-Feb-2012 15:00

Sunderland1

VS

Arsenal2

Full match report

Competing in:

• Premier League
• League Cup
• FA CUP

Bardsley boost for Black Cats

14 Jul 2008 - 08:37:00

Click To Enlarge

Sunderland have received a boost with the news that Phil Bardsley has been given the all-clear to begin pre-season training following knee surgery.

The 23-year-old full-back went under the knife to correct a cartilage problem during the closing weeks of the last campaign, but is ready to resume training following a summer of rehabilitation.

Bardsley was a £2million purchase from Manchester United during the January transfer window.

"I'm raring to go," he told the club's official website. "The operation was straightforward really and I've done some running and stuff.

"There's no problem with my knee. I've had my rest and I'm looking forward to training."

Meanwhile, Bardsley has revealed how manager Roy Keane has already told his players that he wants them to improve on last season's 15th placed finish in their first season back in the Premier League.

"That will only be a start for him," he continued. "The manager wants better things all the time and so do the players.

"He will try to get more out of us and we will push ourselves. I think a fair aim is to finish in the top half and have a good cup run."