Sports
Preview – Sunderland AFC vs Ipswich Town: Johnson looks to end losing streak
Match Preview:
Sunderland welcome 9th place Ipswich to the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon in a top-half clash and would love to put an end to the bad results.
The Black Cats go into the fixture in poor form having lost three league games in a row and are without a win in their last six games. Defeats to Charlton, Rotherham and Sheffield Wednesday mean that Sunderland have dropped down to 7th position.
Manager Lee Johnson has come under increased pressure from fans but has urged them to remain patient and trust the process. The visit of The Blues is a must-win for the home side. The team from Wearside continue to drop down the table and sit 8 points behind leaders Plymouth Argyle. Clearly, they are in desperate need of improvement on the pitch.
Sunderland were at the top of the table just a few weeks ago and will be hopeful they can still achieve promotion to the Championship with a large part of the season remaining. With an extensive injury list in previous weeks, it has been tough to get a good run together.
Credit: @SAFC Instagram
Ipswich head into Saturday’s match off the back of their FA Cup Replay victory over Oldham. Paul Cook’s side are in decent form and have lost just one of their last seven League One fixtures. However, the home side have not lost a league tie against Ipswich Town in their previous four meetings.
The team from Suffolk have scored more goals than any other side this season with a goals for tally of 34 so far. Their Goal-Difference sits at +9 and despite conceding a large number of goals this campaign, manager Paul Cook will be hoping his defence can replicate their last two matches which have ended with a clean sheet.
Ipswich can move within a point of the North East giants with their first Stadium of Light victory since 2018. The crunch game kicks off at 15:00pm on Saturday and starts off an important week for Ipswich who take on third-placed Rotherham at Portman Road on Tuesday.
Team News
For Sunderland, top scorer Ross Stewart has been in training ahead of the clash on Saturday after being monitored for a shoulder injury. Manager Johnson has revealed the striker has been given injections to lighten the load and should be fit to feature from the start. Stewart has been in great form since signing for the Black Cats in January and carries a large threat for Sunderland going forward.
Nathan Broadhead and Lynden Gooch both made comeback’s in last week’s Papa John’s Trophy fixture with Bradford City. Ex-Norwich man Alex Pritchard has shaken off his neck problem. Aiden McGeady is back from serving his one-match ban following his sending off against Rotherham United and is expected to feature in the starting 11.
Denver Hume and Leeds united loanee Niall Huggins are set to be out until 2022 and remain out of contention.
Ipswich manager Paul Cook has no fresh injury worries and is expected to recall some of his regular first-team players after a number of them were rested for the FA Cup game last time out. Hayden Coulson remains a doubt while Central Midfielder Captain Sam Morsy is one yellow-card away from suspension.
Form:
Credit: Footystats.org
Potential line-ups:
SAFC: Hoffmann (GK), Winchester, Flanagan, Doyle, Cirkin, Evans, Neil, Embleton, Pritchard, McGeady, Stewart.
ITFC: Wilson (GK), Donacien, Nsiala, Edmundson, Clements, Evans, Morsy (C), Burns, Celina, Edwards, Bonne.
What are your pre-match thoughts? Who would make your starting 11 for this crunch match?
Join in the conversation and have your say…
Newcastle United boss wants to extend the contracts of two players before losing them.
Eddie Howe has expressed in a recent fan Q&A his intentions to keep two out of contract players this summer, Loris Karius and Paul Dummett, according to the Athletic’s Chris Waugh, with both players current contracts set to end this summer.
6 players are currently set to become out of contract come June 1st, Loris Karius, Paul Dummet, Mark Gillespie, Matt Ritchie, Matty Longstaff and Ciaran Clark. However, it is only Karius and Dummett that appear to be safe of getting the chop.
Loris Karius has spent this season as Newcastle United’s third choice keeper, with only one appearance coming in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup Final. Despite the loss, Karius did little wrong and contributed some wonderful saves late on in that game.
Paul Dummett has had the same treatment, with only one appearance coming his way, a Carabao Cup tie in the second round against Tranmere Rovers back in August. The 31-year-old Welshman is an experienced head and will no doubt have great respect within the dressing room having signed for the club back in 2012 making 205 appearances in that time.
Both players can expect new contracts from Eddie Howe as he has made it known that he wants them both to remain at the club next season.
Who would you want to remain at the club from the current out of contract list – let us know on our social media and follow us for latest North East Updates –https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates
10 players Eddie Howe could look towards with contracts expiring at the end of this season.
The free agent’s market is the absolute cheat code for clubs across the board, being able to avoid the rising transfer fees and getting players through the door through verbal agreements makes life much easier for clubs during the transfer window.
We have compiled a list of 10 free transfers NUFC could sign this summer from Europe’s top five leagues giving them a rating of the potential of them signing and the impact they would have.
- Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund)
The 29-year-old full back has his contract expiring this summer and with NUFC already being hinted at as his potential new club, this one is worth keeping an eye on over the next few months. He would slot straight in at left-back to have healthy competition for fan favourite Dan Burn and add a burst of class and pace to that left hand side. The Portugal international already has an impressive CV and would be looking to show that off to the St. James faithful.
Potential – A
Impact – A
- Yerry Mina (Everton)
With Everton potentially facing the drop this season, a jump from Merseyside to Newcastle could suit the centre back to a T. The 28-year-old Columbian international would add to NUFC’s already in form back line and bring some South American heat as they look to progress further next season. Mina possesses dominance, aggression, and a great ariel threat and would be a top addition to the magpies this summer.
Potential – B
Impact – A
- Jonathan Bamba (Lille)
An explosive winger who made his name known as Lille snatched the league title in 2021 in France, the 26-year-old is still yet to receive a contract extension from the club and could be looking elsewhere in the summer. Adding pace, flair, and drive to an already exciting front three for NUFC could be what fans need going into next season.
Potential – C
Impact – A
- Youri Tielemans (Leicester City)
Reportedly being close to leaving in the summer window of 2022, Youri Tielemans would be a fine addition to NUFC’s midfield being able to operate in a slightly deeper role to allow Bruno to push further up the field and do what he does best. The 25-year-old has his contract expiring this summer and with him and James Maddison already being linked to the club, this transfer seems to make so much more sense and would add heaps of quality to the centre of the field.
Potential – B
Impact – A
- Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
Drive, power, and flair are the 3 best words to describe Crystal Palace star man Wilfried Zaha. The 30-year-old could be looking to depart his beloved club in the hope for European football next season and NUFC could be just the place for him. Being able to operate either on the left or down the middle, Zaha would thrive under Eddie Howe and be a fantastic addition to the front line.
Potential – B
Impact – A
A Sunderland football player on loan to Lincoln FC has had his loan terminated after he was charged with rape.
Jack Diamond, 23, had been arrested after a sexual assault in Washington, Tyne and Wear, last year.
Northumbria Police launched an investigation, but have now charged him with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault.
Lincoln City FC said the player’s loan contract had been terminated “with immediate effect”.
His home club, Sunderland AFC, said he had been suspended pending the outcome of legal proceedings.
In a statement, it said: “Sunderland AFC has been notified that criminal charges have been brought against Jack Diamond by the Crown Prosecution Service.”
“As this matter is subject to a legal process, the club will not be making any further statement at this time”.
The incident is alleged to have happened in May last year.
Mr Diamond, of Fatfield, also Washington, is due to appear before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court in May.
-
Sports1 year agoNewcastle transfer rumours as January window approaches
-
Best of North East1 year agoTop 10: Date Ideas In Newcastle
-
News1 year agoLocal mum left with serious injuries after being spiked
-
Sports1 year agoRumours: How could Newcastle line-up after the January transfer window?
-
Featured1 year agoNorth-East Collection Points For Ukraine Donations
-
Featured1 year agoHumanitarian aid for Ukraine collection point in Newcastle
-
Sports1 year agoFavourites to sign for Newcastle in January, according to SkyBet
-
Sports10 months agoSix potential strikers that would improve Newcastle’s attack