SUNDERLAND 10 YEARS AGO: Brown fired up, Golden wonders

BROWN FIRED UP FOR RETURN:

CHRIS Brown hopes for an early birthday present by forcing his way back into Sunderland’s side against Luton Town on Saturday.

The striker turns 22 on Monday and would love to end his three-game injury exile by lining up against the Hatters – who beat in-form Preston last weekend.

But Brown admits that the scoring form of Daryl Murphy – praised highly by boss Roy Keane after netting the winner against Norwich on Saturday – will make it a difficult road back into the reckoning.

The forward said: “I’ve started running and I hope to join in training tomorrow. Everything feels OK and I’ve done my best to keep my general fitness up so if I’m needed, I’m hoping to be available for this weekend.”

Brown was absent for his side’s 1-1 draw at Wolves, 2-1 win at QPR and 1-0 home triumph against the Canaries.

“It’s typical of this league that you miss one week of training but that means you miss three games,” he said.

“I went over on my ankle in training just before the Wolves game and damaged my ligaments, but I’ve been running for the last couple of days and I’m confident there will be enough strength in the ankle for the Luton game.

“I’ve had problems with both ankles this season, but the one I did before Wolves wasn’t where I’ve had trouble before and hopefully both ankles will have got better.

“The first team have a day off on Thursday, but hopefully I’ll do a bit with the physios or join in with the youth team.”

Brown’s replacement Murphy has made the most of his opportunity, however, scoring after starting each of the last two games.

“I’m pleased for Daryl because he’s done well and got his goals,” said Brown.

“It won’t be easy getting a place ahead of him. I’m not expecting to walk straight in.

“I’ll be pleased to get back into it.

“The gaffer has made changes to the side when he’s felt the need to keep things fresh.

“We’re coming up to a busy period with the Christmas fixtures and everything and it’s a time when we’ll probably need as many people fit as possible to help us keep the run going.

GOLDEN WONDERS:

THEY’RE Wearside’s teen kings of the ring.

Sixteen-year-olds Johnson McClumpha, James Farrer and Luke Goodings were victorious in the National Clubs for Young People Championships – formerly known as the Boys’ Club Championship.

Plains Farm Amateur Boxing Club’s McClumpha was too strong for Welsh opponent Calum McGovern in the Class A finals in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire.

McClumpha tore into his 60k opponent from the first bell and celebrated a first-round knockout.

Coach Bobby Robinson said: “It was an outstanding performance.

“He did himself and the club proud.”

Clubmate Micky Laws lost his 75k final to Londoner Kirk Garvey. “It was a fair result,” said Robinson, “but Micky did us proud and put up a good fight.”

Sunderland ABC had a double celebration with Farrer and Goodings bringing home titles at 63k and 46k respectively, both winning on points.

Farrer beat Charlie Sewell (Eltham & District ABC, London) 9-2 while Goodings edged a close contest with Northamptonshire’s Michael Joyce 7-6.

Coach Graham Fairley said: “We’re delighted with the lads. They’ve worked hard for the titles and it’s great for everyone at the club to have two more national champions.”