Richardson banned for Black Cats - 7M sport

Richardson banned for Black Cats

Posted Saturday, October 17, 2009 by PA

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce will be without Kieran Richardson through suspension for Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Liverpool.

The former Manchester United midfielder, who has been playing at left-back in recent weeks, was sent off for a second bookable offence during the 2-2 draw at Manchester United a fortnight ago and must serve a one-match ban.

However, Northern Ireland international George McCartney, the club's only specialist left-back, is fit, while Lee Cattermole (heel) and John Mensah (calf) are also available.

Manager Steve Bruce will assess striker Kenwyne Jones following his return from international duty in the Caribbean, while Dutch midfielder Boudewijn Zenden could also be included against his former club, provided his international clearance comes through in time.

Ahead of the clash, Bruce admitted he will be happy if his team can scale the heights they did at Manchester United - as long as they do it for the next six months.

The Black Cats gave the reigning champions the scare of their lives a fortnight ago when only Anton Ferdinand's late own goal rescued a point for the hosts at Old Trafford.

The level of devastation within the Sunderland camp as they saw a famous victory slip from their grasp was a measure of their growing belief, and that will be tested once again against Liverpool.

Manager Bruce is confident that progress has been made since he arrived on Wearside during the summer to pick up the reins at a club which avoided relegation by just two points at the end of the last campaign.

But he is keeping his feet and those of his players firmly on the ground as he prepares for another tough test of their credentials.

He said: "If you can go and win at Old Trafford, you can go and win anywhere.

"That would have given us a huge, huge boost, but it wasn't quite to be.

"We can still take heart from the performance and how we played - but the mark of a good team is can we keep repeating that, starting with Liverpool and for the next six months?

"If we can do that, then we have got the makings of a half-decent team."

Dutch forward Dirk Kuyt looks likely to step into Fernando Torres' boots as Liverpool fight to overcome the loss of their top scorer and captain Steven Gerrard.

Both Torres and Gerrard have failed to recover from groin injuries picked up on international duty this week.

Kuyt, who also suffered an ankle problem while away with Holland in Australia, is fit to play, while Andriy Voronin and Ryan Babel could also be involved in an attacking role.

Liverpool will also be without Greek international Sotirios Kyrgiakos, who has a serious knee injury, while defender Daniel Agger is set for a return to the side following a back problem.

Boss Rafael Benitez had been bracing himself for bad news, and he confirmed: "Neither player will be involved at Sunderland.

"They are both at roughly the same stage of their recovery, they are close, but they will not be ready for this match."

Liverpool face Lyon at home in the Champions League on Tuesday, and then Manchester United visit Anfield next weekend.

Benitez added: "We are hoping both players are ready for the Champions League game.

"These international breaks are always difficult for club managers, you just have to hope your players come back safely."

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