Cats get quartet boost

Gordon, Turner, Reid and Cattermole could all return at Pompey

Last updated: 19th January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Cats get quartet boost

Gordon: Back in training

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Sunderland have received a boost with the news that four players could be back for Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at Portsmouth.

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon and defender Michael Turner could return to bolster a Black Cats defence which was mauled 7-2 at Chelsea last Saturday, while midfielders Andy Reid and Lee Cattermole may also be back.

The news that long-term injury victim Gordon is back in training will be especially pleasing to boss Steve Bruce after the Scotland international broke his arm back in November.

Bruce told the club's official website: "Craig is back. Obviously Michael Turner is available (after suspension) and we're hoping to have Andy Reid and Lee Cattermole back as well.

"John Mensah is on the way back but we will have to wait to see about him."

Turner has missed the last four games after the Football Association rejected Sunderland's appeal against his controversial sending-off at Manchester City and increased his three-game ban.

Cattermole has not played since the 4-3 defeat at Eastlands while Reid's last appearance before injury came against Everton on Boxing Day.