Black Cats are left to sweat on Gooch’s fitness
THIS MONTH’S WINNER IS INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF TALENT WITH A NEW PROGRAMME DESIGNED TO HELP THEM REALISE THEIR FOOTBALL DREAMS
LYNDEN Gooch will face a late fitness test before Lee Johnson picks his side to face Rochdale at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.
Playmaker Gooch was forced off with a calf problem just after the hour in Sunderland’s 1-0 midweek win against Swindon Town.
However, Johnson says a scan has come back clear and that could mean the American was only suffering from cramp - in which case he would be fit to face Dale.
The Black Cats’ boss said yesterday: “Goochy felt something in his calf and that is why he went down.
“Brilliant news on the scan, no muscle damage, which probably means it was either a compressed nerve or it was cramp - we are not sure yet.
“If it is a compressed nerve it might take a bit longer but if it was cramp then we will find out tomorrow because he will be fine for the fitness test.”
Johnson also gave an update on midfielder Grant Leadbitter, who dislocated his shoulder in last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Crewe Alexandra.
Leadbitter went to see a specialist this week and the advice was the injury was ‘manageable,’ meaning he will be back shortly - although there is a risk of a recurrence which would then require surgery.
Johnson added: “Grant’s shoulder is good.
“He went to see a specialist and the information we had back was there had been major trauma to everything in his shoulder.
“It is a manageable situation with the right strapping, the right conditions.
“There is a risk it might pop out again but I think Grant is probably willing to take that risk, maybe not necessarily over the short-term but over the medium-term as he feels stronger and a bit more comfortable.
“He looked like an American footballer because he had lots of nice, thick, padding on!
“The situation is there is a 50 per cent chance the shoulder will pop out again and if it does it will require surgery.
“At the moment there are protective measures we can use to aid healing and mitigate the chances of it popping out again.”
While Leadbitter will not feature against Rochdale he has not at this stage been ruled out of the EFL Trophy final a week on Sunday.
“I am not sure but I am not ruling him out,” said Johnson when asked if the 35-year-old could face Tranmere Rovers at Wembley.
“If you look at him move, I would say yes, 100 per cent he could play.
“It is not that, it is the contact, falling over, what have you.
“Grant has been out there but it was only a passing drill, no contact.
“It would depend how he feels and he is a sensible player, he will not chase it if he is not ready - he knows we are still competing on two fronts.”
Northern Ireland defender Conor McLaughlin is another who will sit out today’s game as he recovers from an injection he received to ease lingering pain following a hernia operation.
He is due back in training early next week - although his involvement in Tuesday’s trip to Portsmouth hangs in the balance.
Johnson said: “Conor had an
injection and it has settled well. There is a risk of rupture if he comes back too quickly - and when I say too quickly I mean 48 hours or 36 hours, not massive timescales.
“I reckon he could train on Monday or, if not, Wednesday.
“Portsmouth might come too soon or it might not.”
Bailey Wright (calf), Tom Flanagan (hip flexor) and Ross Stewart and Denver Hume (both hamstring) are all improving, although they are not yet ready to return.
Johnson added: “Denver has been out on the grass.
“It is positive news and his speed of recovery has been surprising.
“Ross is back in training and Bailey is not a million miles away.
“He has a calf injury so this threeweek stage is really important for him and Tom is starting to look that little bit stronger as well.”
SUZANNE MULVEY has football coursing through her veins. The 36-year-old developed a love for the game growing up in Edinburgh, and has enjoyed a career playing for the leading clubs in Scotland and proudly representing her country.
A mum to three boys, Suzanne has embarked on an ambitious project to help equip the next generation of talented young footballers with the skills and fitness needed to earn sporting scholarships to top universities in the USA.
Her lifelong passion for the game hasn’t gone unnoticed – and certainly not by her mum, Karen, who nominated her for Coral’s Fan of the Year competition. Having been picked out as this month’s winner by striking legend Alan Shearer, Suzanne is being rewarded with £1,000 worth of football-related prizes that will deliver some fantastic resources for her new venture to help young footballers.
“Football has given me so much in my life. Being able to give something back and help the next generation enjoy the game is something I’m dedicated to,” she explains. “Winning the £1,000 means I can buy muchneeded equipment to help the players improve – particularly at this difficult time.”
As a monthly winner, Suzanne will have the chance to be crowned Coral’s Ultimate Football Fan of the Year at the end of the season – when she could net another £10,000 in football prizes.
Suzanne has dedicated her life to the sport. “I remember always having a ball at my feet from an early age,” she says. “I’ve got an older brother and he doesn’t play football, so I’ve no idea where it came from. It was just in me.
“But there weren’t as many opportunities as there are now, so it was not until I reached 16 before I was in a proper set-up and was able to progress and keep improving.”
STAR PLAYER
Suzanne has enjoyed every kick and tackle of her globetrotting adventure ever since. She has played for leading clubs including Celtic, Rangers and Glasgow City, and captained Motherwell to promotion in 2018 with a record points haul, for which she was voted the division’s player of the year.
Always seeking new challenges, Suzanne also played a season in Iceland and has earned 37 caps for her country – one highlight of which was playing against the US women’s national team in front of a 15,000-strong crowd in Jacksonville, Florida.
Now captain of Partick Thistle Women, Suzanne hasn’t let lockdown and a lack of fixtures stunt her ambition. Instead she has seen it as a chance to give back.
Her new venture, Sentinel Sports, helps young athletes to improve their health, fitness and skills as they prepare for a future in football, and assists them in gaining scholarships to study at universities in the USA where they can train like professionals.
“A few girls that I know asked me to help them out, and as soon as I started to do a bit of research I fell in love with the idea,” Suzanne says. “In the 15-21 age group, so many players, both male and female, fall away from the game. This gives them an opportunity to go away and grow as a player and also a person. A lot of them come from backgrounds where they’ve not had great experiences.
“When I scored a goal it was a great feeling – but watching somebody that I’ve helped score a goal is more rewarding now.”
The final word has to go to Mum: “To me she is a fan of all football,” Karen says, “whether it’s playing, training, representing, watching. Anything football – that’s Suzanne. That’s definitely my girl!”
If you’re inspired by Suzanne’s story and know of a football fanatic who deserves the same recognition, Coral wants to hear about them. It could be someone who has shown unstinting devotion to club or country, who has dedicated their life to the game, or who is bringing others into the sport and making them the best they can be.
The Football Fan of the Year will be someone who eats, sleeps and breathes the beautiful game – and can inspire others to go above and beyond for the sheer love of football.
Being able to give something back and help the next generation enjoy the game is something I’m dedicated to