Source: Northern_Echo
Richardson's a Cats doubt after goalless draw
STEVE BRUCE offered an insight in to his opening day Premier League starting line-up at Easter Road this afternoon, where Sunderland ended their pre-season campaign with a goalless draw.[LNB] But a hamstring problem for Kieran Richardson has cast doubt over his involvement in next Saturday's Premier League reunion with Jordan Henderson at Liverpool.[LNB] Richardson, who had started on the left of a back four that had also turned out at Hartlepool on Tuesday, headed for the tunnel holding the back of his thigh just before the hour and was replaced by Ahmed Elmohamady.[LNB] Prior to that Sunderland had defended well against Hibernian. Wes Brown and Anton Ferdinand had looked effective at the back, while Phil Bardsley was lively going forward from the right.[LNB] Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, preferred to Keiren Westwood, was largely on the periphery as Sunderland missed a number of first half chances.[LNB] Seb Larsson was the architect of most things positive. After he had headed over an early chance, the Swede turned provider with a number of teasing centres to further highlight why Bruce has signed him.[LNB] From the best ones, Asamoah Gyan wasted a good downward header and Jack Colback volleyed wide after finding space unmarked at the back post after drifting in from the left.[LNB] Chances were few and and far between after the restart, with Hibernian goalkeeper Mark Brown equal to a couple of drives from Stephane Sessegnon and Craig Gardner.[LNB] But the best chance fell to Hibs. Ferdinand, who was otherwise sound and had pushed his claim to start at Anfield, was culpable for failing to deal properly with a ball over the top.[LNB] His attempted clearance bounced off Callum Booth, fell to substitute Ross Caldwell, but he failed to test Mignolet and fired wide.[LNB] In the absence of a left-winger, Jack Colback was again afforded that role, although Bruce will continue to monitor the transfer market in the hope of adding a different option.[LNB] Sunderland, meanwhile, have agreed a £400,000 fee with Derry City for 22-year-old winger James McClean, according to reports.[LNB] HIBERNIAN (4-4-1-1): Brown; Hart (Palsson 5), Hanlon, Stephens, Booth (Sproule 73); Galbraith (Thornhill 80), de Graaf (Stevenson 89) , Murray (Smith 59), Wotherspoon (Crawford 27); Horner (Taggart 80); O'Connor (Caldwell 59). Subs (not used): Stack (gk), Stevenson.[LNB] Sunderland (4-4-2): Mignolet; Bardsley (Laing 86), Brown, Ferdinand, Richardson (Elmohamady 56); Larsson, Cattermole (Vaughan 64), Gardner (Turner 64), Colback; Sessegnon (Wickham 73), Gyan (Ji 64). Subs (not used): Westwood (gk), Bramble.[LNB]
