MARCUS Stewart has urged boss Mick McCarthy to tread carefully with strike partner Kevin Kyle as he continues to recover from a niggling hip problem.

Kyle made his first start of the season as Sunderland eased to a 3-1 win over Crewe on Tuesday night, despite being sent for a precautionary scan just 24 hours earlier.

The Scotland international injured his hip in the opening week of pre-season training and, while tests have so far failed to uncover any serious damage, his movement continues to be restricted.

Kyle's value was clearly evident on Tuesday as he combined with Stewart to provide a cutting edge that was largely absent at Coventry four days earlier.

And, with QPR due to visit the Stadium of Light this weekend, Stewart has warned that his fellow frontman mustn't be pushed too hard as he battles back to full fitness.

"Kevin will probably be wrapped in cotton wool now until Saturday," said the former Ipswich striker, who opened his account for the season with Sunderland's second against Crewe.

"I don't know for sure, but I would think that's how we'll be handling him.

"We need him to be able to put in the same sort of performance on Saturday and, if he does that, I'm sure he'll score goals.

"He's hardly played any games in pre-season so to get a half against Coventry, and play just about the whole game against Crewe, will do wonders for his fitness.

"Kevin played very well on Tuesday - he created my goal - but he's still struggling with his hip injury. He's alright once he gets going, but he does suffer from stiffness after he's played in a game."

Kyle and Stewart combined to share 32 goals last season, with the latter benefiting from the former's physical presence and aerial domination.

McCarthy has bolstered his striking ranks with the addition of Stephen Elliott this summer but, while the 20-year-old showed his potential with an impudent goal on his home debut, Sunderland's two senior strikers will continue to carry the bulk of the goal-scoring burden.

"I think Kevin and I have a very good understanding," said Stewart. "We always have had and I think we showed that last year.

"We worked quite well off each other all season and I don't think our partnership has ever been in doubt."

Stewart was being linked with a possible move to League One side Bristol City this summer but, after staying at the Stadium of Light, he now finds himself at the forefront of Sunderland's promotion push.

As a striker that creates inevitable pressure and, while the 31-year-old eventually found the net against Crewe, he was more concerned with the ones that got away.

He could have had a first-half hat-trick had he converted the chances that came his way and accepts that, on another day, the Black Cats could have paid a high price for his profligacy.

"I thought we played very well and created a lot of chances," said Stewart. "If we keep doing that all season then we'll end up in the top two.

"But I'm still very disappointed I didn't score more goals. I got away with it against Crewe but, on other days, it might be different."

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