Campbell could return for West Brom clash

SUNDERLAND hope Fraizer Campbell will be given the all-clear when he visits a specialist today after twisting his knee in training last week. After spending seven months on the sidelines recovering from a cruciate ligament injury, Campbell was set for a return against Manchester City last Sunday, only to twist his knee on the eve of the game. It was feared the 23-year-old had aggravated the injury he had suffered against Roberto Mancini's side back in August, but initial scans revealed the damage is not as bad as first feared. Campbell today visits Yorkshire-based surgeon Steve Bollen, who operated on the injury last year, to make sure no serious damage has been done. If given the all-clear, the striker could feature in tomorrow's clash with West Bromich Albion at the Stadium of Light. It will be a huge boost for the Black Cats if Campbell gets the go-ahead and boss Steve Bruce has admitted that, should the striker return with good news, he will be in contention. "Of course, it was a worry when Fraizer twisted the knee on Saturday, but thankfully the scan he has had shows that the knee is still structurally intact," the Black Cats boss said. "Fraizer will now see the surgeon who operated on him and hopefully he will confirm that there has been no damage done. "If so, Fraizer will come into my thinking on Saturday." Campbell's return would give Bruce a massive lift with the boss under some pressure from fans as he looks to put an end to his side's seven-match winless run. That wretched run of form has seen the Black Cats slip down to 12th in the Premier League table, jeopardising hopes of the top-ten finish. Captain Lee Cattermole revealed yesterday the squad has held clear-the-air talks as they look to record their first win since January 22 against Roy Hodgson's in-form Baggies. As well as Campbell, Bruce is hoping to welcome back Kieran Richardson from a hamstring injury, while right-back Nedum Onuoha will return to the side after being unavailable for the defeat to his parent club. Defender Phil Bardsley should also be okay despite coming off at half-time at Eastlands with a lingering knee injury, but Titus Bramble is definitely out after it was confirmed the centre-back will miss the rest of the season with a cartilage trouble.

Source: Northern_Echo