Bent's fine, but McCartney injury woe
DARREN Bent missed Sunderland's 2-0 loss to Benfica last night as boss Steve Bruce wrapped his prized asset in cotton wool.
The club's record signing and last season's 25-goal top scorer sat on the bench alongside Bruce after being left out of the squad, with Kenwyne Jones the lone striker in a 4-5-1 formation.
But the manager was quick to reassure fans about the hitman's well-being.
He said: "Darren's fine, but he's got a couple of minor niggles and it wasn't worth risking him.
"The situation did at least allow us to experiment with a 4-5-1 formation and explore that.
"It was a good game and it has been a good trip."
However, left-back George McCartney is unlikely to be fit for the start of the season, according to Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington.
Worthington admitted today that it was "touch and go" whether McCartney would make the Ulstermen's opening European qualifier in Slovenia on September 3 after suffering an ankle injury in the Black Cats' pre-season match with Brighton last week.
"George is definitely out of the Montenegro friendly on August 11. That is too soon for him," Worthington said.
"He is out for four to six weeks so even Slovenia is very doubtful at this moment in time.
"We are waiting to see the results from a scan he had on the ankle, and it is touch and go with regards Slovenia.
"He has had hard luck with injuries in recent months, but it is part and parcel of the game."
Bruce works his players hard in pre-season, demanding a high level of fitness for the start of the campaign.
The Black Cats wrap-up their summer schedule with games at Championship side Leicester on Saturday and away to German Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim on Sunday week.
Bruce said of the Portugal camp: "We've got through so much good work in terms of fitness training.
"We went to the same training complex last year and it was great for us and that's why we were happy to come again.
"This summer, it has been even more successful if anything, just because we were a little more familiar with the place.
"I'm very pleased at the fitness work we've done and we're flying home with the squad much better prepared for the challenges ahead.
"I'm happy that after the games against Leicester City and Hoffenheim, we'll be ready for the season to begin."
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Weather for South Shields
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
