Influential midfielder Teemu Tainio should be fit for Sunderland's relegation showdown at Portsmouth on Monday.
Tainio sustained an ankle problem during Saturday's goalless draw with Bolton at the Reebok Stadium that brought an end to his man- of-the-match performance after 79 minutes.
Appreciating how vital Tainio is to the team, boss Ricky Sbragia said: "He gives us that Premier League experience when he sits in there.
"It is a concern when Tainio is wavering over saying he has a little problem.
"I don't want him to carry on with it because he has a long-standing knee problem. But when he plays we tend to play better and keep the ball better."
Tainio, though, is confident he will figure as he said: "I was fine. I'd knocked my ankle a little bit, and it (the substitution) was the manager's choice."




Comment 1 - 7 of 7
u need to go into a dark room and lie down malcolm if u've seen nos wrapping up centreforwards for the whole ninety minutes ur halusanating the pressure is starting to get to u
Ref Nolsworthy , I am not a big fan of his however , he is a much better player than Davenport proports to be. I have seen Nolsworthy play some fantastic games and some bad ones. The latter were in our first season in the Premiereship before he was moved into the cente of defence from full back.
I have seen him keep Centre forwards wrapped up for the entire 90 mins, but we wont seee him again this season anyway because of his injury, I would even say that a certain Ginbger haired centre half called Mcshane is a better player than davenport.
It'll be the same team and formation we played at bolton, Ricky would be mad to change it. As for nosworthy, not a chance, I think he's already played his last game for Sunderland, Not good enough, Keano can have him.
Mackem4ever
Gerry,
I hope Sunderland win or at least get a draw, because Pompey are already safe on 38 points.In my opinion 37 will be enough because the most WBA and Smogs can get is 4 points(I'm very generous) gives them 35points.
Hull will lose to the scousers leaving a maximum of 3points with one left to play, which if it was to happen leaves them on 37points with a goal deficit of 6 or 7.
The only way Hull will stay up,is if the Mags lose two games and they manage a draw from the last game.
malcolm d ur mad nosworthy is poor at best always losses his man and the rest of the defence is pulled out of position to cover his mistakes if we ever play him again we will go down
To Malcolm D. Please tell your manager to pick his worst team because Portsmouth need the points. Just let us win at home for a change.
Good , Then put him into the midfield instead of Dean Whitehead, and Play Steed Malbranque in with Tainio. Put Reid and Richardson on the wide flanks to provide the crosses for the forwards. Jones and Healy
Get the centre of th defense sorted out so they talk to one another and put Nolsworthy in for Davenport Colins back into the centre along side him .
Bring in the reserve left Full back and Bardsley on the right Fulop in goal . thers your team,
Dont under any circumstances bring Stokes back from loan and play him as he aint good enough .Another expensive championship average player we were sold at an overrated price.
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