SUNDERLAND striker Kevin Kyle last night predicted that the club's hectic fixture schedule could work in their favour as they close in on a place in the Premiership.

Wednesday's 3-1 win at Walsall kicked off a run of 10 games in the space of just 31 days - a spell that is set to make or break the Black Cats' season.

Such a busy programme means that Mick McCarthy's side will barely have time to breath between games, with rest and recuperation just as important as work on the training ground.

But the club endured a similarly hectic run in late August when they faced Preston, Watford and Bradford in the space of a week.

Three wins in those games fired them into the top two and Kyle is hoping for a similar outcome over the next month.

"It's going to be Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday for a while now," said the Scotsman. "But that could be a good thing if we can get on a run of three points every time.

"We've got a run of games - but that could work for us. If we can keep winning then everyone's going to be looking forward to the next game coming up.

"We're going to have them quick and fast so, hopefully, we can keep picking up the points and get back into that play-off position and start challenging for the top two.

"At the beginning of the season we beat three teams in quick succession and that made a lot of difference to us.

"We had a lot of midweek games then and we got on a roll where we won five games on the bounce in next to no time. Hopefully we can do that again."

Sunderland's schedule is undoubtedly going to place a significant strain on McCarthy's already scant resources.

Gary Breen, Stephen Wright and Joachim Bjorklund all missed Wednesday night's win and, while the trio could all be fit for Sunday's FA Cup showdown with Sheffield United, any more long-term injuries would severely hamper the boss' plans.

The likes of Darren Williams and Darren Byfield are likely to play increasingly prominent roles as the end of the season nears and, while the Black Cats might not have the deepest of squads, Kyle is happy with the quality that is available.

"When players have had to miss out on games, the players who have come into the side have done a fantastic job," he said. "Phil Babb was out of the team for such a long time, but he got back in and did ever so well. He got dropped when Gary Breen came back, but he's got back in again and his spirit has been excellent.

"The same applies to Darren Williams coming in for Stephen Wright and George (McCartney) dropping back to centre-half.

"Anyone who's come in and got a chance has done their bit for the team. That's what we need at the minute because it's a squad that's going to get us promoted, not just 11 players."

Promotion to the Premiership might remain Sunderland's over-riding priority, but a win against The Blades on Sunday would take them to within 90 minutes of an appearance in the FA Cup final.

Middlesbrough's recent Carling Cup success has whetted Wearside's appetite for some knockout glory of their own, and the Black Cats are only to aware of the way in which the FA Cup draw could open up in their favour.

"It would be great if we could get into the semi-finals and, with a bit of luck, draw the winners of Millwall against Tranmere," said Kyle. "But first of all we've got to dispose of Sheffield United.

"It's a big game on Sunday but we've played Sheffield United already this season and we know what to expect. We got a result at Bramall Lane so, hopefully, we'll have the edge with them coming up to Sunderland.

"It would be a fantastic achievement if we could progress in the cup on Sunday, but we know it's going to be a case of straight back to the league whatever happens."

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