MICK McCARTHY is hoping defender Gary Breen will give Sunderland fans the perfect Christmas gift by declaring himself fit for the Boxing Day clash with Bradford City.

Breen has not played since injuring a knee during the goalless draw with Coventry City on November 8.

The centre-back's absence has coincided with Sunderland's worst run of the season - six matches without a victory.

Although Sunderland will be without Breen for today's home match with basement-boys Wimbledon, McCarthy admits it will be a massive boost to have the Irishman back as the club heads into the New Year.

"It's gone on a lot longer than we thought," said the Sunderland boss. "We first thought it was just a blow to the knee, but it seems he was actually kneed right on the medial ligament.

"The bruising has taken a long time to go away and we couldn't do anything to speed it up.

"It's been impossible to put a date on it and that's been a real pain for us. Gary is as frustrated as anyone, but he's starting to see an improvement. He's not been at all comfortable or confident about it, but he's getting past that.

"He's back kicking a ball and we're looking at the Bradford City game on Boxing Day for his return hopefully. I'll be without two of my first choice defenders against Wimbledon, but I'll be all right. It's not like the players who will come in have come from out of space."

McCarthy, who also has Julio Arca out through suspension, insists he is not too concerned by his side's poor run of form.

Sunderland have won just one of their last ten matches and are without a victory on home soil since October 18.

McCarthy hopes his players can put that right against Division One's bottom two clubs in their next two matches - Wimbledon today then ex-Middlesbrough boss Bryan Robson's Bradford.

"Of course our momentum has gone in the last few weeks because we've not been winning," said McCarthy. "With that the optimism falls as well, but I think we've been playing well enough not to make people depressed.

"I think our performances have shown we will be in the promotion shake-up at the end of the season."

Meanwhile, Colin Healy has revealed he has accepted an apology from the man who ended the Sunderland midfielder's season prematurely.

Healy had two bones in his lower leg fractured by a dreadful tackle from Coventry's Youssef Safri during the 1-1 draw at Highfield Road this month.

The Sunderland's star's campaign is over but there are hopes he will make a recovery in time to restart pre-season training in the summer.

Healy said: "Youssef has been in touch and apologised and that's the end of it. I prefer to look forward.

"I've been told the operation went well and I'm positive about the future. It was good to be back in to see the lads in training on Thursday."

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