Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has a major doubt over midfielder Steed Malbranque ahead of Tuesday night's Premier League clash with Chelsea.
Malbranque: Ankle problem
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The Frenchman twisted an ankle in Saturday's 1-0 win at Bolton and is rated at 50-50 at best, while Kieran Richardson is struggling with a dead leg suffered in the same game.
Andy Reid missed the trip to the Reebok Stadium with a thigh problem, but was expected to resume training today, while keeper Craig Gordon was on the bench at the weekend as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.
Summer signing Paulo da Silva is working his way back to full match fitness, while Paul McShane remains on the sidelines after knee surgery.
Black Cats (from): Fulop, Gordon, Carson, Bardsley, Ferdinand, Collins, Nosworthy, Da Silva, McCartney, Cana, Cattermole, Richardson, Reid, Malbranque, Leadbitter, Henderson, Tainio, Edwards, Bent, Jones, Campbell, Healy.
| Meetings since 2000 | |||
| 16/01/2010 | Chelsea | 7 - 2 | Sunderland |
| 18/08/2009 | Sunderland | 1 - 3 | Chelsea |
| 24/05/2009 | Sunderland | 2 - 3 | Chelsea |
| 01/11/2008 | Chelsea | 5 - 0 | Sunderland |
| 15/03/2008 | Sunderland | 0 - 1 | Chelsea |
| 08/12/2007 | Chelsea | 2 - 0 | Sunderland |
| 15/01/2006 | Sunderland | 1 - 2 | Chelsea |
| 10/09/2005 | Chelsea | 2 - 0 | Sunderland |
| 05/04/2003 | Sunderland | 1 - 2 | Chelsea |
| 30/11/2002 | Chelsea | 3 - 0 | Sunderland |
| 16/03/2002 | Chelsea | 4 - 0 | Sunderland |
| 09/12/2001 | Sunderland | 0 - 0 | Chelsea |
| 17/03/2001 | Chelsea | 2 - 4 | Sunderland |
| 14/10/2000 | Sunderland | 1 - 0 | Chelsea |
| Sunderland Last Six Games | |||
| 09/02/2010 | Portsmouth | 1 - 1 | Sunderland |
| 06/02/2010 | Sunderland | 1 - 1 | Wigan |
| 01/02/2010 | Sunderland | 0 - 0 | Stoke |
| 27/01/2010 | Everton | 2 - 0 | Sunderland |
| 23/01/2010 | Portsmouth | 2 - 1 | Sunderland |
| 16/01/2010 | Chelsea | 7 - 2 | Sunderland |
| Chelsea Last Six Games |
| 07/02/2010 | Chelsea | 2 - 0 | Arsenal |
| 02/02/2010 | Hull | 1 - 1 | Chelsea |
| 30/01/2010 | Burnley | 1 - 2 | Chelsea |
| 27/01/2010 | Chelsea | 3 - 0 | Birmingham |
| 23/01/2010 | Preston | 0 - 2 | Chelsea |
| 16/01/2010 | Chelsea | 7 - 2 | Sunderland |
| This Season's Home & Away Record | ||||||||
| Home | Away | |||||||
| W | D | L | W | D | L | |||
| Sunderland | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 | ||
| Chelsea | 12 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 3 |

geordie8468 : "...Bad result for us today! IMO (like i've said for a couple weeks) the problem is cattermole and cana in the middle. We can't have two defensive holding midfielders in the middle of the park unless he plays 5 in midfield. ..." view full comment
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reza78 (Manchester United) : "...Manchester United will sell Vidic to Real Madrid in the summer with Karim Benzema coming to Old Trafford. Smalling will be the new star defender! Also, Frank Ribery will join Real and David Silva to United. ..." view full rumour

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