Sunderland Football Club News

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

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

Skipper boosts Black Cats

21 Nov 2007 - 08:00:41

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Sunderland captain Dean Whitehead has declared himself fit and available to return to action after three months on the sidelines.

Whitehead, 25, suffered knee ligament damage in the second game of the season but made his comeback in a reserve team outing earlier in the week.

The Black Cats skipper now claims he is ready to return as early as this Saturday's clash with Everton should manager Roy Keane require his services.

Keane had feared the midfielder would miss the majority of the season after he picked up the injury in a 2-2 draw with Birmingham City back in August.

"I feel good and it is just nice to be out playing again," he told the club's official website.

"My general fitness is fine, it is just about getting the match sharpness now.

"I am not sure whether I will be involved at the weekend - that's down to the manager - but my knee is feeling good, I'm feeling good fitness-wise and I'm ready."