Carter Back With Blues

Last updated : 06 December 2004 By Brian Cartlidge

The 20-year-old Blues midfielder's initial three month spell on Wearside was not due to end until after Sunderlands game against Cardiff City this coming weekend.

Carters return has been brought on because manager Steve Bruce has been a bit short of central midfielders in recent weeks although he said at the end of last week that Muzzy Izzet would return to training this week after missing the last two league games with a recurrence of the knee injury he sustained against Newcastle earlier this season.

However, if the Turkish international breaks down in training then the Blues boss indicated that he will probably have to undergo an exploratory operation in an effort to get to the bottom of the injury.

Carter, who is yet to make his Premiership bow this season, could now come into the equation for a first team recall for the game against Villa this weekend.

During his spell with the Black Cats he made 10 appearances, scoring one goal.

Darren Carter (Sunderland) appearances
DateCompetitionHomeResAwayGlsCrd
04/12/2004ChampionshipSunderland0-2West Ham Utd.0Y
27/11/2004ChampionshipStoke City0-1Sunderland0
21/11/2004ChampionshipSunderland2-0Ipswich Town0
13/11/2004ChampionshipLeicester City0-1Sunderland0
05/11/2004ChampionshipMillwall2-0Sunderland *0
02/11/2004ChampionshipSunderland *3-1Wolves0
25/10/2004ChampionshipRotherham U.0-1Sunderland0
28/09/2004ChampionshipSheff. Utd.1-0Sunderland0
24/09/2004ChampionshipLeeds Utd.0-1Sunderland0
18/09/2004ChampionshipSunderland3-1Preston N.E.1
Appearances 8 (* + 2 as sub); Goals 1; Yellow cards 1; Red cards 0