Match Preview: Sunderland AFC v Blades

The Blades last game was a 2-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, Alan Wright the scorer of the Blades goal. Marlon King and Gareth Taylor netted for the visitors.

Welsh skipper Robert Page returns to the back four after missing the last game, Neil Warnock had rested the former Watford defender after he had turned out for his country in midweek.

Tonge, who picked up his fifth booking of the season last week stays in the squad as the Blades have no fresh injury's or suspensions.

Last Tuesday night the Black Cats put the final nail in the Wimbledon coffin as the Dons were relegated to Division Two. Marcus Stewart put the visitors ahead just before half-time. But Kamara drew things level on 67 until Darren Byfield snatched a winner 17 minutes from time.

Estonian international keeper Mart Poom could miss his first game of the season as he suffered a dead leg in there 2-1 win over Wimbledon. Former Everton keeper Thomas Mhyre would be the likely one to replace Poom although there is Michael Ingram who could be re-called from his loan spell at Wrexham.

Also George McCarthey and Kevin Kyle sustained injurys at Wimbledon while Stephan Wright (thigh) is still on the casualty list. Meanwhile Midfielder Jeff Whitley is suspended.

SUNDERLAND V SHEFFIELD UNITED Friday 9 April 2004 Nationwide League Division One Kick-Off: 3:00pm @ Stadium of Light Sunderland: Mart Poom, Gary Breen, George McCartney, Joachim Bjorklund, Carl Robinson, Julio Acra, Paul Thirwell, Williams, Matt Piper, Marcus Stewart, Kevin Kyle. Substitutes: Sean Thornton, Darren Byfield, Tommy Smith, Thomas Myhre, Phil Babb. Sheffield United: Paddy Kenny, Simon Francis, Chris Morgan, Alan Wright, Nick Montgomery, Andy Gray, Phil Jagielka, Michael Tonge, Stuart McCall, Jack Lester, Peter Ndlovu. Substitutes: Wayne Allison, Paul Shaw, Ashley Sestanovich, Mark Rankine, Robert Kozluk.