CONSISTENT Sunderland central defender Jody Craddock aims to prove his fitness in a reserve game tomorrow night to stake his claim for a return in the televised home clash against in-form Chelsea on Sunday.

Craddock has missed three games since receiving a gashed shin in last month's defeat at Leicester, and a planned return two weeks ago was put on hold because the wound failed to heal when the stitches were taken out.

Now Craddock, who spent a week on crutches, is hoping to play in the Premier Reserve League fixture against Aston Villa at Villa Park.

He said: "The cut has been oozing a bit but the medical people assure me it is all right and I'm hoping to be right in time to play in the reserve game.

"I will have to play with some kind of protective bandage around it because if I get kicked it could open up again and I might pick up an infection.

"My recovery is coming on well but it has been a slow process because the gash is in an awkward place on my leg.

"But I'm getting there - I just have to keep working hard and hopefully I won't miss many more matches."

No outfield defender has been more consistent this season than Craddock, whose partnership with club record £4.5m signing Emerson Thome has been interrupted by injuries and suspension.

But he is hoping to win back his place alongside the Brazilian and help Sunderland climb the Premiership table after a disappointing start to the season.

He said: "I've been very unhappy to miss out on the last few games, but really I'm glad it wasn't a long-term injury, which it might have been because the cut was close to my tendons."

Craddock is likely to be joined in Sunderland's first reserve game for three weeks by winger Kevin Kilbane, who has been out of first-team action with an ankle injury after helping the Republic of Ireland reach next summer's World Cup Finals.

Both are hoping to be involved in Sunday's game against Chelsea, riding high after their superb 3-0 victory over defending Premiership Champions Manchester United at Old Trafford last Saturday. Sunderland will be without their swiss international full back Bernt Haas, who is automatically suspended for one game after collecting five bookings.

Sunderland's youth team will have the rare opportunity of playing at the Stadium of Light tonight when they host the third round FA Youth Cup tie against Nottingham Forest.

The game starts at 7.30pm and admission is £2 to all parts of the ground.

Sunderland have agreed to extend the loan of 20-year-old midfielder Brendan McGill at Third Division Carlisle United until the end of April

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