Reds V Black Cats Preview

Ex-red Roy Keane returns to the City Ground sooner than expected as Forest host Sunderland in the Carling Cup on wednesday night.

Forest are hoping to welcome back Kelvin Wilson into the centre of defence after he missed the victory over Watford with a slight back problem. Nathan Tyson and Andrew Cole should make the bench again, though both are still some weeks away from contending for a starting place. However, long-term injury victims Joe Garner and Paul Anderson will again miss out, as will Lewis McGugan.

It's a tough call, but Since arriving on loan from Man Ure, he's added some real flair and quality to the reds attack, and could well be the man to make the difference should the reds pull off a surprise result.

Sunderland don't have anything like the injury problems at Forest, though they are expected to be without midfielder Teemu Tainio, though Pascal Chimbonda is back in contention after being rested for the weekend's 2-1 victory over Tottenham.

He's proved very useful for Sunderland in recent weeks, and has the quality to unlock a deadlocked game. He was the difference between the two sides in the pre-season friendly last month.

Sunderland have enjoyed the better of the games between the two sides, having won 38 over Forest's 32, with 24 ending level. The last time we played Sunderland competitively was back in our relegation season of 2005, when we lost 2-1 thanks to goals from Stephen Elliot and Marcus Stewart, with Andy Reid netting for the Reds. Looking at the side that day, our front line containing Gareth Taylor and Neil Harris, it's not outrageous to suggest this one will hopefully be quite a different affair.

The game will be officiated by Mr Ian Willimson, who will be ably assisted by Mr K Lawson and Mr P Thompson, the fourth official being Mr S Bratt.

Despite the new-found optimism at the City Ground, it's hard to see us winning this one. I'll say 2-1 to Sunderland.

Wolves (A) - Sat 30th August - 15:00

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