Sunderland Football Club News

• Nickname:Black Cats
• Founded:1879
• Manager:Martin O'Neill

• Ground:Stadium of light
• Capacity:48,353

Irish pair struggling

27 Sep 2006 - 07:41:00

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Sunderland pair Stephen Elliott and Graham Kavanagh are both struggling to return to full fitness in time to play in the Republic of Ireland's upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers.

Striker Elliott has been unable to train since suffering an ankle injury during the Black Cats' 3-0 win at Leeds United on September 13 and manager Roy Keane does not expect him to be able to play against Cyprus and Czech Republic early next month.

Keane told the club's official website: "I know he's been selected but Stephen's not been out running yet, so I think people are getting ahead of themselves. If he's not right he won't be going anywhere."

Midfielder Kavanagh has been struggling with a knee injury for the past few days and even though he managed to play the full 90 minutes of last weekend's 3-1 defeat at Ipswich Town, the club have sent him to see a specialist.

Keane added: "Kav was feeling it a week or so before it the Ipswich game. He saw a specialist yesterday and we are waiting on the report.

"He could be struggling for the weekend and if there's any doubt he won't play. He's got internationals after that so that's the stuff we've got to look at."