Sunderland AFC news: Double boost for West Ham, Mannone on Pickford, Loan deal

West Ham have been handed a double injury boost ahead of Sunderland's final visit to Upton Park this weekend.
Andy CarrollAndy Carroll
Andy Carroll

Hammers co-chairman David Gold today confirmed that defender Winston Reid and striker Andy Carroll should be available to face the Black Cats on Saturday lunchtime.

The pair both missed last weekend's FA Cup fifth round win over Blackburn, but will provide a boost for Hammers boss Slaven Bilic, who is already without the services of injured trio Enner Valencia, Diafra Sakho and James Tomkins.

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Meanwhile, Vito Mannone has been speaking about the challenge stemming from fellow Sunderland keeper Jordan Pickford.

Mannone got the nod ahead of England Under-21 international Pickford to be Sunderland number one after the departure of Costel Pantilimon last month.

And while Mannone believes that Pickford has a big future in the game, the Italian says he purely has to concentrate on his own form.

"Jordan has got a big future, but I want to help the team and club stay in the Premier League," said Mannone.Pickford is not the only promising member of Sunderland's U21 squad, with Lynden Gooch extending his loan spell at League One Doncaster until the end of the season.

The striker has made five appearances for Doncaster since joining them on an initial one-month deal in the January window.