By Ben Collins Last updated: 31st August 2008
Keane: Two years in charge
Sunderland will be looking to claim their third win in nine days on Sunday as they welcome a travel-weary Manchester City.
The Black Cats bounced back from their opening-day defeat to Liverpool with a 2-1 win at Tottenham last week before knocking Nottingham Forest out of the Carling Cup on Wednesday.
And although City also recovered from a losing league start to beat West Ham 3-0 last week, they endured an energy-sapping trip to Denmark in midweek.
The Blues needed penalties to scrape past FC Midtjylland in the UEFA Cup on Thursday, which tempered the excitement surrounding the return of former fans' favourite Shaun Wright-Phillips from Chelsea.
Sunderland boss Roy Keane saw his two latest signings make goal-scoring debuts over the last week, with Djibril Cisse heading a late winner at Spurs while David Healy grabbed an extra-time winner at Forest, and they are both in contention for their home debut.
"I'm delighted for them," said Keane. "It was great to see David get off the mark at Forest, when the ball fell to him I just knew he was going to score.
"Some strikers just have that instinct, that killer touch - David showed that at Forest and Djibril did at Tottenham.
"Any player that goes to a new club wants to do well, but particularly strikers, and we're delighted they're off the mark - hopefully there'll be many more goals to come."
City suffered an 8-1 drubbing by Middlesbrough on their last trip to the North East, although their last away win in the league was a 2-1 triumph at Sunderland last April.
Friday marks the second anniversary of Keane's appointment at the Stadium of Light and on Sunday he will pit his wits against former Manchester United team-mate Mark Hughes, who took charge of City this summer.
"It does seem like yesterday when I took the job," said Keane. "I'm happy enough with the progress we've made, but a lot of credit has to go to everyone connected to the club - the backroom staff, the supporters.
"We're not getting carried away, we know there's a lot of hard work ahead, but we're making nice progress."
Steed Malbranque and Kieran Richardson are both doubtful for Sunderland, although Danny Higginbotham could return after being left out against Forest for Pascal Chimbonda.
City have no new injury concerns after their midweek exertions, with Micah Richards coming through unscathed after being knocked unconscious against West Ham.
Hughes will be able to recall Vincent Kompany, who was ineligible for the European qualifier, while Richard Dunne is set to make his first league appearance of the season after serving a two-match suspension.
City's record signing Jo could make his league debut after representing Brazil at the Olympics, although the young striker may not start after looking short of match fitness in midweek.
Kelvin Etuhu (hamstring) is doubtful, while Benjani Mwaruwari, Valeri Bojinov and Darius Vassell remain out.
Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Higginbotham, Collins, Miller, Whitehead, Reid, Diouf, Murphy, Cisse.
Man City: Hart, Corluka, Dunne, Richards, Ball, Ireland, Kompany, Johnson, Petrov, Elano, Sturridge.
Martin Tyler on why Sunday's defeat is bad news for Chelsea, records against the big four and Brad Friedel.
Guillem Balague says The Yellow Submarines are proving themselves a force to be reckoned with.
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liverpool | 20 | 45 |
| 2 | Chelsea | 20 | 42 |
| 3 | Manchester United | 18 | 38 |
| 4 | Aston Villa | 20 | 38 |
| 5 | Arsenal | 20 | 35 |
| 6 | Everton | 20 | 32 |
| 7 | Wigan Athletic | 19 | 28 |
| 8 | Hull City | 20 | 27 |
| 9 | Fulham | 19 | 26 |
| 10 | West Ham United | 20 | 25 |
| 11 | Bolton Wanderers | 20 | 23 |
| 12 | Portsmouth | 20 | 23 |
| 13 | Manchester City | 20 | 22 |
| 14 | Newcastle United | 20 | 22 |
| 15 | Sunderland | 20 | 22 |
| 16 | Tottenham Hotspur | 20 | 20 |
| 17 | Middlesbrough | 20 | 20 |
| 18 | Stoke City | 20 | 20 |
| 19 | Blackburn Rovers | 20 | 18 |
| 20 | West Bromwich Albion | 20 | 18 |