KEVIN KYLE'S never been one for shirking his responsibilities. Carrying suitcases was the order of the day during his time as an Irish Ferries baggage handler before becoming a professional footballer at Sunderland.

But it is Kyle's refreshing commitment to the Sunderland cause that has won the admiration of his manager Mick McCarthy.

The Scotland striker had his routine injection to ease the pain of a hip injury on Thursday. That enabled him to train yesterday and he will take his place in the starting line-up at Plymouth this afternoon.

Many other players in the same situation would have chosen to hit the treatment table, instead of making the long haul to the south coast for a Championship clash at Home Park. Not Kyle.

It is that sort of attitude, coupled with a gradual increase in ability and confidence on the pitch, that has led to even his sternest critics warming to his strengths.

McCarthy knows what sort of player he has at his disposal and that is why he is one of the first names on the teamsheet every week - regardless of his fitness problems.

"Kyle's usually got two or three defenders on him on a Saturday and he probably puts a harder shift in now than he did then he was carrying suitcases," said the Sunderland manager.

"The fans have justifiably warmed to him. We can all be pleased with him especially with the injury he has been carrying.

"He's had some inflammation and hopefully we can settle it down. He's not trained but he will be fine for Saturday. He's a good character and he puts a shift in after coming off the treatment table on a Thursday. It's nice to have character like that.

"We must recognise people's qualities and when I came here I only kept hearing what he couldn't do.

"A 6ft 3in guy who puts a great shift in. He's a real handful for defenders and he's improving on his finishing all the time."

As well as Kyle being available for selection, Sunderland only have George McCartney definitely missing today with a calf strain.

Stephen Wright, Steve Caldwell, Jeff Whitley and John Oster are all expected to recover from niggles and are competing for a place in McCarthy's starting line-up.

The team McCarthy selects is sure to have its work cut out against a Plymouth side still buoyant after promotion.

In the Pilgrims' first three games back in the second tier they are yet to concede a goal and they sit level on points with Wigan Athletic at the top of the Championship table.

It is 13 years since Sunderland made the trip - when the Wearsiders lost 1-0 - and McCarthy is expecing a rough ride today.

"We should not be going there worrying about playing Plymouth," said McCarthy. "But they are well organised and flew out of the league last year. They are full of themselves and deserve to be.

"They cause problems on free-kicks and corners and they have not conceded yet so they're doing something right.

"They've got a good manager in Bobby Williamson. The whole ethos of the place was to get that continuity and Bobby was fortunate to get the opportunity to do that. He doesn't surprise me."

Despite only winning one of their first three matches this season - at home to Crewe - McCarthy insists he is happy with how his youthful squad are performing.

And he said: "I would have liked the six points out of our two home games. We have played good football in the games and we created chances. A fit Kyle would have scored one of his chances at least. I'm not looking to consciously change the way we play and the lads enjoy it."

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