SUNDERLAND, desperate for the slightest little hint of good news, have been encouraged to learn that they are likely to be without winger Julio Arca for only one more game.

The talented South American has been pencilled in to make his long-awaited return just after Christmas and that has come as a welcome relief on Wearside.

Such is Sunderland's position - they have taken a paltry five points from a possible 48 in the Premiership and prop up the rest of the division - it is hoped the return to full fitness of Arca will lift deflated spirits.

The 24-year-old has only taken part in sporadic training sessions ever since he fractured a metatarsal in his left foot in September, but has been told to step up his recovery.

Arca will not be risked at Charlton on Saturday as manager Mick McCarthy tried to ensure there is no repeat of the setback the little Argentinian suffered on his last outing.

The left-sided player made a comeback appearance at half-time in the derby defeat to Newcastle on October 23, but has not played since.

However, there is a real sense that Arca will be back in the first team picture for the Boxing Day clash with Bolton at the Stadium of Light.

Liverpool's involvement in the World Club Championships in Japan this month was the reason why Sunderland's date with the Reds was switched to last week.

That means Sunderland now have a free weekend on December 17 and that gives Arca more time to regain fitness for the visit of Bolton.

Saturday's defeat to Tottenham was the Black Cats' ninth in succession and McCarthy knows if there is a slim chance of his side avoiding relegation then he needs his top players back.

Striker Stephen Elliott should be fit for the trip to Charlton and Alan Stubbs is likely to shake off his problem soon, but both Stephen Wright and George McCartney are not expected to return until the new year.

"If we get some of our better players back, and take a few people out of the firing line, we will have a bit more quality and I know we can improve as a team. But we don't have those players. It makes life difficult but we crack on," said McCarthy.

"It's difficult to keep your spirits up, there's no question about that. Whatever we might lack in quality, I can't knock them for effort, endeavour, work rate and team spirit. They have been excellent in that regard.

"They are a great bunch. If it turns out we are not good enough, it will be sad. But provided we play like this and keep scrapping and having a go, I can put up with it."

After facing Charlton, Sunderland have dates with Bolton, Blackburn, Everton and Fulham before hosting non-league Woking or Northwich in the FA Cup in January.

One former Sunderland player enjoying a good cup run already is Sean Thornton.

The unpredictable Irishman, who is through to the last 16 of the Carling Cup with Doncaster, has been critical of the way McCarthy handled his personality during his time at Sunderland.

Thornton failed to hold down a regular place in McCarthy's starting XI and was sold to Doncaster.

"Basically I needed to start afresh somewhere else and the move has been brilliant for me. I had no real complaints at Sunderland, but I just felt I was never going to get a regular run of games, so moving is the best thing that could have happened to me," he said.

"All footballers need to know they are backed and I feel as though the manager is 100 per cent behind me at Doncaster. I didn't feel that way at Sunderland but I have no regrets.

"I am enjoying it immensely at Doncaster and I feel I am beginning to play some of my best football. That was not always the case at Sunderland because I was in for one game or two at the most and then out again."

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