Sunderland boss Ricky Sbragia received a welcome boost ahead of the clubs vital match at Fratton Park with the news that midfielder Teemu Tainio could have recovered from his ankle knock in time to play.

 

Tainio was replaced during the Black Cats match against Bolton after picking up the injury and with his long-standing knee problem Sbragia took no chances. However, Tainio appears to have suffered no significant damage and is confident that he will be in contention for a place in the team."I was fine. I'd knocked my ankle a little bit, and the substitution was the manager's choice" he said.

One player who may not start against Portsmouth is on-loan striker Djibril Cisse. The former Liverpool forward has suffered recently from a lack of form and was dropped from the starting line up at the Reebok. His agent has claimed that Sunderland’s failure to make a decision on their ‘option to purchase’ has allowed Tottenham in to steal the player. Speaking to a French newspaper he said "Djibril will not remain at Sunderland after the season has finished. We have an agreement with Tottenham Hotspur for Djibril to sign a 12-month contract.”