Coleman boosted by fully-fit squad as Accrington bid to end winless run

Posted Friday, December 07, 2018 by PA

Accrington manager John Coleman has a clean bill of health as he prepares for the visit of League One big boys Sunderland.

Defender Harvey Rodgers and striker Andy Mangan are fit after injury and could be involved with Coleman desperate to bring a run of six league games without a win to an end.

He made wholesale changes for Tuesday night’s penalty shoot-out victory over Checkatrade Trophy holders Lincoln and is likely to restore his key men to the starting line-up.

Defender Ben Richards-Everton has started the last two games after replacing Nick Anderton for last weekend’s FA Cup second round win over Cheltenham in the only change to the side which lost 2-1 at home to Wycombe in its last league outing.

Sunderland boss Jack Ross could have midfielder Chris Maguire available for the trip to the Wham Stadium.

Maguire has sat out two games with a rib injury, but is back in training and is expected to be included, while striker Charlie Wyke is also working with his team-mates once again following a long-term knee injury.

However, midfielder Lee Cattermole is unlikely to make the squad after a foot injury which has seen him miss the last eight games, although he could be involved in Tuesday night’s FA Cup replay against Walsall.

Striker Duncan Watmore will also miss out despite playing 67 minutes of Tuesday night’s Checkatrade Trophy victory over Notts County following his recovery from serious knee ligament damage as Ross continues to manage his return, while Donald Love, Denver Hume and Ethan Robson are still sidelined.