ALTHOUGH short of match fitness, Sunderland pair Stephen Wright and George McCartney are expected to start after recovering thigh and hamstring injuries respectively, writes Derek Davis.

ALTHOUGH short of match fitness, Sunderland pair Stephen Wright and George McCartney are expected to start after recovering thigh and hamstring injuries respectively, writes Derek Davis.

Carl Robinson's nose surgery will force him to miss the next month, although he would have been suspended for this game anyway.

Manager Mick McCarthy may move Darren Carter into central midfield, while moving Julio Arca on to the left wing.

Another option would be to push in Liam Lawrence at left-back and Sean Thornton could also benefit from any midfield reshuffle.

The belief in Sunderland is that, despite going nine games without a goal, Marcus Stewart will get one more chance as a starter, especially as it against his old club Ipswich.

But, if he fails tomorrow, then the bench beckons and Michael Bridges will get his chance as a starter.

Stewart gets all misty-eyed whenever he thinks of those halcyon days at Ipswich.

He said: "They were good times. The team spirit was exceptional and I am glad to have experienced such a period at such a good club.

He said: "I could not have wished for a better return from the UEFA Cup games I played the following season, either. From the four matches I played I scored three goals.

"I have plenty memorabilia from the whole adventure. It was a truly awesome experience.

"The shirts I have from my trips are at home and I will get round to getting them framed one day.

"It was frustrating when I broke my jaw in training because I was really enjoying the time the club was having. One day I was playing, and the next I was ruled out for six weeks, or something like that."

n Stockport County winger Andy Welsh will join Sunderland next week after impressing during a short trial on Wearside.

The 21-year-old is expected to become a Black Cats' player for a nominal fee on Monday following a three-day stint in the North-East this week.