Higgy: No mercy for Derby
Danny Higginbotham will have no sympathy for former club Derby at Pride Park tomorrow.
The Sunderland defender has missed seven games through injury, but is in contention to replace the suspended Danny Collins at left-back.
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The Black Cats go in search of a first away win of the season against a rock-bottom Rams side that could break Sunderland's record-low points tally in the Premier League.
Higginbotham said: "I enjoyed being at Derby. It's a good club with a lot of potential and I don't envy them their position.
"But I'm a Sunderland player now and all I'm bothered about is making sure this is a Premier League club next season. I don't know what kind of reception I'll get from the Derby fans if the gaffer picks me.
"I scored there for Stoke last season and had a bit of a fall-out with the Derby fans towards the end of the game.
"Hopefully that's all in the past and I can't see why I wouldn't get a decent reception for them because I always did my best for the club."
Higginbotham was involved in Sunderland's last-gasp home win over Derby on December 1 but it was only two games later that he injured his foot.
"I broke my toe, but I don't even know how I did it," said the 30-year-old Mancunian.
"I think it happened in the home game against Aston Villa. I probably got stood on, but you don't feel it when your adrenaline is pumping and it was only the next day that I started feeling some pain.
"I was able to play a few more games, but that probably made it worse. It looked like I would need an operation, but thankfully that was avoided and I'm just pleased to be back involved again."
Collins serves a one-match suspension after collecting five yellow cards, with Higginbotham and Ian Harte the obvious candidates to replace the Wales international.
"I've played left-back before," said Higginbotham. "It's been a while, but you have to be versatile and if the gaffer decides to play me, I'll be delighted to play again.
"The lads have done well since I've been out. I think they've won every home game I've missed and they've pulled us away from the relegation places a bit.
"But we have some tough ones coming up at home and we do want to get some away points in the bag to take some of the pressure off.
"Derby have struggled, but they'll be busting a gut to get a result against us so we know we're in for another tough game."
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Weather for Sunderland
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -2 C to 1 C
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Wind direction: South
