LAWRENCE AIMING TO AVOID RECORD
Liam Lawrence insists there will be more than just local pride driving Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby with Newcastle United.
Although the Black CatsÂ’ descent into the Championship was confirmed by their goalless draw at Manchester United on Friday, the manner of their performance gave their long-suffering fans something to shout about.
Allied to their recent draw at Everton, it means Sunderland have now picked up points in successive away games, exactly one sixth of their tally for the entire campaign.
With five games still to play, Lawrence believes there is now a genuine opportunity for the north-east outfit to scramble on to 19 points, a figure which would ensure they avoided the unwanted tag of becoming the worst side ever to play in the Premiership.
“We are determined to beat that 19-point mark,” said Lawrence.
“We have a good bunch of lads here and we don’t want to be part of a side called one of the worst teams ever to play in the Premiership.
“People have been saying we were going down since October, which riles you a bit.
“Ultimately, they have been justified in what they said because we are going down. But we have done our best in every game and for people just to dismiss our efforts like that was really annoying.”
Three points - and a first home win of the season - would take Sunderland even closer to their aim, as well as providing the fans even more reason to cheer.
Black Cats chairman Bob Murray denies not providing the finance required to establish the Wearsiders in the top flight.
“This has been a terrible season,” he said.
“But it was not a case of a lack of ambition.
“We started the season with a higher wage bill than Wigan and West Ham and some other Premiership clubs. But we have not got a return for this investment and I am deeply sorry for that.”
While it is not yet known if caretaker boss Kevin Ball he will be appointed Mick McCarthyÂ’s successor on a long-term basis, win or lose, he is enjoying every moment of his stint in charge.
“I am quite animated on the touchline but that is just the way I am,” he said.
“As anyone who has been in this position would agree, it is vital you enjoy the matches and that is exactly what I have been doing.”
Julio Arca is expected to return to SunderlandÂ’s starting line-up for the Stadium of Light clash after recovering from a hamstring injury.
But Rory Delap (broken nose) will not be risked after pulling out of the Good Friday goalless draw with United with a nose bleed in the pre-match warm-up.
“I feel very sorry for Rory,” said Ball.
“He suffered that bang against Fulham but he was fine in training this week.
“Yet, for some reason, when he went out to warm up, blood starting gushing out of his nose.”
Captain Gary Breen is rated doubtful after picking up a calf injury at Old Trafford and Steve Caldwell stands by to take over in central defence and resume the captaincy of the side.
Having landed a double on Saturday to sink Wigan Athletic - the promoted side who had twice humbled Newcastle this season - Alan Shearer will head for the Stadium of Light determined to heap even more misery on the relegated Black Cats.
“There’s no doubt about it, Alan is enjoying these last few games of his career,” said caretaker boss Glenn Roeder.
“None of them are slacking off, but you can see Alan Shearer’s determination throughout games at the moment is immense.
“At Boro last Sunday, he was punching the air at the final whistle. It meant that much to him.
“Knowing Alan, I would think he was disappointed he didn’t get a hat-trick on Saturday - but there again, he’s got four games to grab one of those, and don’t be surprised if he does.”
Sunderland matched Manchester United on Friday night to claim a 0-0 draw which would have counted as a famous result had it not relegated them from the Barclays Premiership.
NewcastleÂ’s 3-1 win over Wigan the following day - the first time they had come back to win a game after going behind since April 2004 - handed them a third successive league victory and dragged them into ninth place.
A fourth on Monday would do their chances of finishing seventh - and the European lifeline that could bring - little harm, although Shearer is taking nothing for granted.
“It will be a tough game,” he said. “They were magnificent against Manchester United on Friday evening.
“If they can do that, they can certainly do it again, so we will have to be on our guard.
“It will be a tough game for both teams, but we go into it full of confidence.
“If they are honest, they have been looking forward to this game for a long time because in truth, for the last couple of months, it’s what they have had to play for because everyone really knew they were going to struggle to stay up.
“But now they have gone down, they can go into this game and can relax a little bit - but we have still got a hell of a lot to play for.
“It’s a big opportunity for us. It’s three wins on the spin now and going to Sunderland, it won’t be easy, but we have got a chance to make it four wins and after a long, hard season, there could be something at the end of it for us.”
Midfielder Lee Bowyer will miss the derby trip to Sunderland after pulling his hamstring against Wigan.
The former England international lasted just eight minutes of his sideÂ’s 3-1 win and he could be joined on the sidelines by Emre, who missed out with a groin problem.
Shola Ameobi, who damaged his two front teeth in a collision with goalkeeper John Filan and defender Matt Jackson, could be available, while Kieron Dyer suffered no ill effects from his 75 minutes on Saturday.
Sunderland (from): Davis, Hoyte, Caldwell, Breen, D Collins, McCartney, Lawrence, Whitehead, Leadbitter, Miller, Arca, D Murphy, Stead, Brown, Kyle, Nosworthy, J Murphy, Bassila, N Collins.
Newcastle United (from): Given, Carr, Babayaro, Elliott, Ramage, Moore, Bramble, Solano, NÂ’Zogbia, Shearer, Ameobi, Harper, Boumsong, Clark, Faye, Chopra, Luque.
