SUNDERLAND have been tipped for promotion, even if they miss out on an automatic spot, writes Paul Fraser.
Defender Colin Cooper, who spent almost a month on loan with the Black Cats despite never starting a game, knows all about the spirit Mick McCarthy has instilled in the camp.
Sunderland go into Sunday's must-win clash with second-placed West Brom knowing three points are essential if they are to stand any chance of catching the runaway two.
Defeat at Ipswich on Monday has severely dented their chances of going up automatically, but Middlesbrough stalwart Cooper is convinced that if McCarthy's men do finish in the top six the boss is more than capable of achieving promotion the hard way. "I rate Sunderland very highly," said Cooper, who also worked with McCarthy during their days together at Millwall. "Losing at Ipswich was difficult because they are now running out of games. They are set up to finish the season well. That Ipswich defeat was their first in ten and if they can go another eight games without defeat then they are not going to be far off. If they do have to go through the play-offs then I do fancy them because they are a very strong side who don't give much away.
"This weekend is a massive game for them against West Brom. If things go positively, and they win their game in hand, then who knows."
Sunderland are expected to have goalkeeper Mart Poom available again after a dead leg and defender George McCartney (ankle) is also winning his fitness battle.
Striker Darren Byfield has been called into the Jamaica squad for a friendly with Venezuela in Kingston on April 28. It means a gruelling schedule for the forward who will have to face Crewe just three days after his match 5,000 miles away.
Read more about Sunderland here.
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