McNair gets run-out as U23s beaten

PADDY McNair should be fit to return to first-team action next week after completing an hour of Sunderland U23s’ 2-0 defeat against Manchester City at Eppleton, writes JAMES HUNTER.

McNair has been out since New Year’s Day with a groin problem which he suffered just half-a-dozen games into his comeback from a long-term cruciate ligament injury.

But he has worked his way back to fitness with a series of appearances for the U23s, and boss Chris Coleman said that provided he came through last night’s game without incident, he would be available for Tuesday’s game at relegation rivals Bolton Wanderers.

McNair was one of two firstteamers included in Elliott Dickman’s side, the other being on-loan Everton defender Brendan Galloway, but there was nothing they could do to prevent the Black Cats slipping to defeat against a talented City team.

Wales Under-21 international Rabbi Matondo put the visitors in front with a goal inside the first quarter-hour, and winger Ian Carlo Poveda made it 2-0 before the halfhour mark.

Sunderland rallied in the second half but could not make their chances count, while at the other end City twice hit the woodwork.

But City took the lead on 11 minutes when Lorenzo Gonzalez’s shot from inside the box on the right went across the face of goal and Matondo was on hand at the far post to apply the finish.

City were in total control after taking the lead and Max Stryjek had to make a good save to prevent Javairo Dilrosun doubling the visitors’ lead.

But just 60 seconds later Poveda did add the second goal, sidefooting home from six yards after Tom Dele-Bashiru’s shot from the edge of the box had hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced down kindly to the City man.

Sunderland started the second period strongly and Shields almost pulled a goal back just after the hour when Embleton released him inside the area, but Grimshaw was quickly off his line to dive at his feet and smother the shot.

Embleton flashed a shot just wide a minute or so later, before sub Benjamin Kimpioka scooped a shot over from inside the box when he should have done better, and Shields crashed a shot just over.

SUNDERLAND: Stryjek, J Robson, Taylor, Galloway, Hume, Gamble, Hackett (Connelly 76), Embleton, McNair (Kimpioka 61), Diamond (Mumba 76), Shields. Subs not used: Patterson, Storey. Booked: Hume, J Robson. MANCHESTER CITY: Grimshaw, Garcia, Adarabioyo, Latibeaudiere, Wood (Diallo 89), Francis, Poveda (Duhaney 87), Dilrosun, Dele-Bashiru, Matondo (Bolton 77), Gonzalez. Subs not used: Anderson, Kigbu. Booked: Poveda. Referee: Paul Marsden. Attendance: 235.