Thomas Butler, Republic of Ireland U21, is being handed his full debut for the Sunderland tomorrow. The Black Cats are away to Charlton at the valley, and its vital they take all three points. With relegation just a moment away, they cannot afford to rely on the Tractor boys to slip up against Manchester United, tomorrow at Portman Road.
Both Roy Keane and Mattie Holland will go head to head tomorrow, at a game which could potentially seal one teams continued success, and the others continued demise. For ManU, John O'Shea (Republic of Ireland) will start at centre back (Blanc injured), and Keane and will start his first game since April 2.
Tommy Butler turned down potential moves to Aston Villa, Leeds and West Ham to join Sunderland in 1999. After a loan spell with Darlington, he made his Premiership debut against the Villa in 2001. Although he has yet to gain a regular place in the Black Cats first team, still - he is highly-rated at the Stadium of Light by Peter Reid.
Butler, who was only 21 yesterday came on as a sub during the second half of the league game, away against Arsenal a few weeks ago, with the Gunners sealing a 3-0 win over the Black Cats. He also earned this starting chance with an eye-catching display, after coming off the substitutes bench at West Ham last week.
This opportunity also arrises as there are spaces in the Sunderland midfield area, because of suspensions to both Gavin McCann and Claudio Reyna. Butler causes huge problems for defences with not only great skill, but blistering pace. And McAteer returns from injury as Sunderland look to get a crucial win that is likely to see them safe. McAteer will more than likely start in the centre of midfield.
On the transfer front, Sean Thornton (Tranmere Rovers) has again been linked with Sunderland. The Black Cats boss, Peter Reid has had scouts watching him for some time now. Thornton - a Drogheda native - who will not be 19 until the end of May, is a Central midfielder, with both U16 & U18 Republic of Ireland honors. Time will tell, whether this is fact or fiction!
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