No rush for Reid return
Steed Malbranque's revival means Steve Bruce will not rush back fit-again Andy Reid.
The Irishman, one of Sunderland's most influential players early in the season, is back in training after a hamstring injury but will have to wait for his chance.
Malbranque has been reborn since returning to the side on the left flank and, after a dip in form, has suddenly made himself a key man for the Black Cats.
Reid's return is nevertheless a welcome boost to Bruce, who also hopes to have Kenwyne Jones available for Saturday's home clash with Birmingham City.
The manager said: "Andy trained for the first time yesterday and if he carries on training for the rest of the week, he has a chance.
"But there is no need to rush him back because Steed has been excellent on the left wing in the last two matches and it would be very hard to move him from there at the moment anyway."
Jones headed Sunderland in front against Manchester City on Sunday but was replaced at half time and the gloomy instant reports suggested his hip injury could mean a four-week lay-off.
But Bruce said: "It's a lot less serious than we first thought, and there is a chance Kenwyne could be fit this weekend.
"We'll see how he is tomorrow.
"Kenwyne has been playing well of late but, at least if he is out, we have got Benjani to come in and take his place."
While Jones could yet figure against Birmingham, Lee Cattermole's chances of recovering from a hamstring injury look remote.
The former Wigan and Middlesbrough midfielder missed the Man City game and Bruce went with David Meyler and Kieran Richardson in central midfield with captain Lorik Cana starting a two-match ban,
Bruce said: "It's still a bit of a struggle for Lee and of course Lorik is unavailable.
"But young David Meyler came in and played very well against Man City. One thing he has got is a huge heart and a huge appetite for the game.
"He's only 20 but he came in and the stats showed he ran 13km on
Sunday.
"It would be very difficult for me to leave him out of the team – he's put a huge marker down for himself and now he has to live up to that level."
Jordan Henderson, who ended a five-week lay-off by appearing as a substitute against City, is another man pressing his claims this weekend.
"Jordan is fully fit now," said Bruce. "If I'm honest, it was probably very early for him to make his comeback last weekend but it was a big game and needs must.
"It was a gamble; if it had backfired I would have kicked myself – but thankfully it paid off."
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Weather for Sunderland
Friday 10 February 2012
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