Jones injury boost for Sunderland
Kenwyne Jones will be able to play a part in Sunderland's Barclays Premier League run-in after being spared a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Manager Steve Bruce feared being without Jones for a month after the striker limped off at half-time during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Manchester City.
However, Bruce was handed a major boost today when scans revealed no lasting damage and Jones could even retain his place in the squad for Birmingham's visit to the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Bruce told the club's official website, www.safc.com: "Kenwyne's had a scan and, thankfully, the damage isn't as bad as we first feared.
"It's too early to say whether he will make Saturday's game, but we will keep an eye on him, give him all the treatment we can and keep our fingers crossed."
Injuries and suspensions have left Bruce's squad stretched since an impressive start to the season left them dreaming of a top-10 finish and even an outside chance of European qualification.
In more recent weeks their thoughts have been focused purely on avoiding a slide into the relegation zone, something which looked a distinct possibility when they went 14 league games without a win before their 4-0 demolition of Bolton on March 9.
Sunderland have lost just one of their last seven league games and were within two minutes of beating City until substitute Adam Johnson struck at the death.
That run has coincided with a return to form for Jones, whose level of performance dipped around the turn of the year amid speculation that he was a target for Liverpool.
Darren Bent is the club's leading scorer with 19 goals, with Jones taking his tally to eight with the opener against City.
And Bruce knows how crucial Jones is to Bent, providing something different to allow the 10million man to do what he does best.
He said: "The one thing Darren likes is to be on the shoulder. I don't think he is that comfortable when he has to be the lead man himself."
Meanwhile, Sunderland chief executive Steve Walton has revealed the club may consider selling the naming rights to the Stadium of Light.
He said: "The naming rights issue is an extremely emotive thing and it would only be done if it was completely right for the business.
"We would only do it if it worked and it didn't take anything away. There have been a couple of things in that kind of area we have been looking at.
"It doesn't necessarily carry the same emotion because it's a relatively new stadium."
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Friday 10 February 2012
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