Sunderland v Hull City preview

17 April 2009 10:28
Sunderland tackle Hull City at the Stadium of Light with both clubs battling to preserve their Premier League status.[LNB] The Black Cats have hit a rocky run of form at just the wrong period in the season with a run of just two points from their last seven games leaving them only two clear of bitter North East rivals Newcastle and Middlesbrough in the drop zone.[LNB]Visitors Hull have fared little better, with only a solitary victory from their previous 16 matches sending them sliding alarmingly down the table after a start to the season which exceeded all expectations.[LNB]Phil Brown's men are only four points above the bottom three and know defeat on Wearside this weekend would allow Sunderland to move ahead of them in the table.[LNB]Stadium of Light boss Ricky Sbragia has been forced to fend off questions over his future with mounting speculation that Alan Curbishley was being lined up as the club's next manager.[LNB]Chairman Niall Quinn has since given Sbragia his full backing, while former Charlton and West Ham boss Curbishley has dismissed the reports, but the club could do without off-field distractions when the focus needs to be on retaining the top-flight place. [LNB]Team newsSbragia is hoping to have midfield duo Kieran Richardson and Dean Whitehead available for selection in time for the clash with the Tigers.[LNB]Richardson was ruled out of the 2-1 defeat to his former club Manchester United after suffering a calf injury, but is due to return to training in time to prove his fitness for the key fixture.[LNB]Whitehead sustained a calf injury in the defeat at West Ham and then failed a fitness test before the Red Devils game. Full-back George McCartney (calf) will not be fit to feature.[LNB]Brown could have Daniel Cousin and Bernard Mendy back in contention provided the pair can prove their fitness in training before the Tigers squad travel to Wearside.[LNB]Former Rangers striker Cousin has been hampered by a back injury in recent weeks, while Frenchman Mendy sustained a bruised foot in the disappointing defeat at Middlesbrough last time out.[LNB]Captain Ian Ashbee will not be available for selection through suspension after receiving his 10th booking of the season at the Riverside.[LNB]Possible starting XIsSunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Ferdinand, Davenport, Collins, Richardson, Leadbitter, Tainio, Reid, Cisse, Jones.[LNB]Hull City: Duke, Ricketts, Zayatte, Turner, Dawson, Fagan, Mendy, Boateng, Geovanni, Manucho, Cousin. [LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports