Mike Dodds has conceded that Sunderland are unlikely to welcome back any of their currently injured players before the end of the campaign, though Dennis Cirkin has taken a major step forward in his comeback this week. Cirkin has endured an injury-hit campaign and has not played for the Black Cats since November. Dodds says the 22-year-old now back in full training but conceded it may be too much of a risk to bring him back before the campaign draws to a close next weekend. Nazariy Rusyn is also...
Newcastle United have been handed a major fitness boost ahead of Wednesday night’s match against Crystal Palace (8pm kick-off). As hinted by Eddie Howe in his pre-match press conference, Callum Wilson is back with the Newcastle squad in time for the final six matches of the Premier League season. Wilson hasn’t played for Newcastle in over two months after suffering a pectoral injury in the closing stages of the 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest in February. The striker, who has scored eight goals...
Sunderland are preparing for their Championship match against Watford - and interim head coach Mike Dodds held his pre-match press conference today. The Black Cats were beaten 1-0 by Millwall last weekend and sit 13th in the Championship table with two matches remaining. Watford are just three points behind Sunderland following a goalless draw against Hull last time out, while the Hornets have just appointed Tom Clevery as their permanent head coach. Here’s what was said at the Academy of Light...
Whites boss Daniel Farke has made two changes to his Leeds United team for tonight’s huge Championship clash against Middlesbrough at the Riverside. Farke had made three changes to his side for last weekend’s hosting of Blackburn Rovers as Joel Piroe, Willy Gnonto and Connor Roberts all came into the side and Patrick Bamford, Dan James and Glen Kamara dropped to the bench. Roberts has since suffered a muscle reaction following his injury return and had already been ruled out of tonight’s contest...
Mike Dodds says availability has been a key factor in the decline of Sunderland's style of play over recent months. Sunderland's play-off push has ebbed away dramatically since Tony Mowbray's departure and many supporters have also been left disappointed by the departure from the free-flowing football of last season. Club officials confirmed at a recent meeting with the supporter collective that it was also a factor in their decision to part company with Michael Beale. Dodds admitted he had...
Leicester City will hope to have Ricardo Pereira available for Tuesday’s game against Southampton in a huge boost for Leeds United’s promotion rivals. Pereira was on the bench for Leicester’s 1-0 win over West Brom on Saturday but was not fit enough to feature, with manager Enzo Maresca conscious of managing minutes. Fellow doubts Jamie Vardy and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall both started but their Portuguese teammate did not feature - albeit stand-in right-back Hamza Choudhury proved crucial with three...
Leeds United’s under-21s enjoyed a much-needed big boost as a young centre-back dazzled and a midfielder bagged a quickfire brace. United’s under-21s approached Monday lunchtime’s Thorp Arch hosting of Derby County’s under-21s having lost six games on the bounce and sat bottom of the Premier League Two table but with games in hand. Leeds, though, knew that victory against second-bottom Derby would take them up above the Rams and a Joe Snowdon double helped the Whites to a 3-0 victory in which...
Mike Dodds admitted he hadn't planned for Corry Evans' return against Millwall on Saturday afternoon but believes the experienced midfielder has shown that he can play a part in Sunderland's final two Championship fixtures. Evans returned to the matchday squad after Dan Neil picked up an ankle injury in training ahead of the fixture, one which will rule him out of the final fixtures. Dodds said his need to change shape as Sunderland tried to fight their way back into the game and create more...
Mike Dodds says Jobe Bellingham has fallen in love with Sunderland as he continues his bid to forge a career in the game, and says a double-figure goal return and a more settled position in the side will be the key targets next season. The 18-year-old has landed seven goals across 45 appearances in all competitions during his debut campaign on Wearside, with the interim head coach adding that the former Birmingham City youngster has played more than anyone had initially expected over the course...
Manchester United prospect Sonny Aljofree has reportedly been unable to make his first-team debut due to an obscure Premier League ruling. The Premier League giants are suffering an injury crisis i
Sheffield Wednesday's relegation rivals Plymouth Argyle are hopeful of receiving an injury boost ahead of this weekend's clash with Millwall. It's a game that Plymouth need to win in order to bolster their chances of avoiding relegation on the final day of the Championship campaign. The Devon-based outfit are currently 20th, one place and one point better off than Danny Rohl's Wednesday, and two points above the dreaded drop zone. As such, they need all hands on deck this weekend at The Den and...
Porro was forced off while featuring in Spurs' woeful 4-0 defeat at Newcastle. Positive news comes days after Destiny Udogie was ruled out for rest of term. Tottenham are looking to torpedo Arsenal's title chances but which Spurs side will turn up in this massive derby? Listen to the