Sunderland-Everton Preview

Posted Tuesday, January 26, 2010 by YAHOO Sport

LONDON (SE) - David Moyes is set to hand new loan signing Phillippe Senderos a debut in Wednesday night’s visit of Sunderland.

Switzerland international Senderos completed a temporary switch to Goodison Park after a frustrating season at Arsenal where failed to make a Premier League start.

Moyes continues to battle an injury crisis on Merseyside with Phil Jagielka still absent along with fellow defender Joseph Yobo but the situation is improving with the return to fitness of key midfielder Mikel Arteta.

Senderos said: “I cannot wait to get stuck in and play for Everton. Hopefully I can get some first-team football in my team here.

“I am here with high hopes and I hope I can fulfil them. I have spoken to Davis Moyes and he hopes to give me opportunities here.

“Hopefully I can grab that opportunity and stay in the team. Everton’s form over the last few weeks has been better and they are getting stronger.”

Arteta’s return from an excruciating 11-month absence is ideal for an improving Everton side, unbeaten in their last seven.

The Spaniard, who underwent three operations during his treatment, has cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines but is relieved his knee injury torment is now behind him so he can concentrate on regaining his place in the starting XI.

Arteta, who made his comeback in last Saturday’s 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Birmingham, said: “I was feeling a bit strange on the pitch as it has been a long time.

“I was so excited just to get on. For me it has been a really good day and I hope those bad days are in the past.

“I have been away for a long time and I have been training hard to get back. It has been difficult and I have learnt a lot.”

Sunderland’s promising season is in danger of slipping away to mediocrity as Steve Bruce’s side have failed to win away in the Premier League since the opening day of the season.

Bruce has called for his shot-shy team to offer leading scorer Darren Bent more support in the final third, as the striker has claimed 14 of the Black Cats’ 30 league goals this season.

Bruce said: “We must start giving him a hand, he keeps scoring for us and we keep taking the lead. We ought to be repairing that so he is winning games, not just scoring.”

Bent’s strike partner Kenwyne Jones may be unable to offer his pal a helping hand as the Trinidad and Tobago international is in talks over a move to either Liverpool or Birmingham.

Bruce has blasted Liverpool in their pursuit of Jones, claiming they have unsettled the player but the transfer is still in the balance with Monday’s deadline day looming.

The Sunderland manager has been dealt some good news with the return to fitness of midfielder Lee Cattermole.

Cattermole has been out since mid-December and witnessed his team-mates go eight games without a win but could in line for a return against Everton.

Bruce added: “He has got a chance. We hope we can get Lee back and we will see how he is on Wednesday.”