Phil Parkinson looks ahead to his Bolton Wanderers reunion and crucial fixtures for Sunderland

Phil Parkinson has urged his Sunderland players to use the festive period to lift the club from its lowest ever position in league football.
Sunderland boss Phil ParkinsonSunderland boss Phil Parkinson
Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson

The Black Cats welcome Bolton Wanderers on Boxing Day languishing in 13th position, winless since the visit of Southend United at the start of November.

Parkinson is encouraged by having an almost fully fit squad to call upon, with George Dobson and Dylan McGeouch the only absentees through suspension and a calf proble

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“The Christmas period gives us the chance to get right back into the top end of the division,” he said.

“We’ve got four games coming round very quickly, we’ve got players back on the training pitch looking good.

“The squad is looking healthier and we’re ready to tackle these games.”

The game will also see Parkinson come up against his former club for the first time since his resignation earlier in the season.

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The club were in dire straits then and though they remain in serious danger of relegation, recruitment under new ownership has improved the squad and new manager Keith Hill has secured some important results.

“They’ve been able to recruit some decent players and it’s a decent squad, so it’s going to be a competitive game but it’s one I feel that we're ready for, our preparation has gone well and we’re looking forward to a cracking boxing day fixture,” Parkinson said.

“I had three years there, winning a fantastic promotion in the first and staying in the Championship in the second.

“The third was obviously tainted as things spiralled out of control at the club.

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“I’m just very pleased that Sharon Brittan and her consortium showed such resilience to save such a great football club.

“If Sharon hadn’t dug deep and got the deal over the line then we could be talking about another Bury situation.

“Everyone knows that football clubs are at the heart of their community, there’s Bury supporters lost on a Saturday afternoon when for years they’ve been watching their football team.

“Bolton is a great club with a great tradition, and it was very very close to not being in existence which would have been such a shame.”