Fulham Preview

The Red and White army head to the capital again looking to address the problem of their away form with an exciting fixture at Craven Cottage.

Steve Bruce is still seething this week after his side produced a terrible performance away at Wigan where they did not even have an attempt on goal. And he is determined to turn the travelling fortunes around. Bruce stated that he may make changes in the future in order to toughen his team up away from the Stadium of Light, with Kenwyne Jones looking likely to be brought in to the starting line-up for a more physical presence upfront against the Cottagers.

A key figure who is still missing for the Black Cats who played a significant part in Sunderland's success away from home this season (win at Bolton and draw at Man Utd) is midfielder Lee Cattermole. Unfortunately he misses out on Sunday with the knee injury he picked up against Liverpool, however he is scheduled to hopefully return in the Christmas period. To me he is what we are really missing at the moment in away fixtures as he is such combative figure in the middle of the park, him and captain Lorik Cana really boss the midfield, whereas current players such as Jordan Henderson and Kieran Richardson, although very good technically, they are a bit too attack minded and don't have that menacing bite about them.

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon is another long-term absentee, also defender John Mensah has suffered a recurrence of a calf problem. Midfielder Steed Malbranque returns to the club where he made his name in Premier League football and David Healy will hope to feature against his previous employers.

Fulham have a very strong home record, both in the league and Europa League, which they featured in on Thursday night against CSKA Sofia. This may prove in Sunderland's favour as they have had more time to prepare for this particular fixture. Yet Fulham are able to recall first team players such as top scorer Clint Dempsey, Damien Duff and Aaron Hughes who were all rested against European opposition. Though they are still without ex-Sunderland player Dickson Etuhu, striker Diomansy Kamara and Andy Johnson is missing, which is a big plus for the Mackems, as he has always tormented us.