Jones missing but Bent gives Cats fine start (From The Northern Echo)

Jones missing but Bent gives Cats fine start

3:26pm Saturday 20th March 2010 in

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KENWYNE JONES has failed to shrug off the hip problem he picked up for Sunderland six days ago in time to face Birmingham City today.

Jones’ absence means that Sunderland manager Steve Bruce can finally hand a first start for Benjani, who moved to the Stadium of Light from Manchester City in January on loan.

That is the only change to the starting line-up against City, although Lee Cattermole has been included on the bench, meaning David Meyler retains his place in the middle.

This report was late due to technical problems and Sunderland have taken a two-goal lead inside 11 minutes. Both goals scored by Darren Bent.

SUNDERLAND (4-4-2): Gordon; Hutton, Turner, Mensah, Ferdinand; Campbell, Meyler, Richardson, Malbranque; Benjani, Bent. Subs: Carson, Henderson, Cattermole, Zenden, Da Silva, Kilgallon, Bardsley.

BIRMINGHAM CITY (4-4-2): Hart; Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell; Fahey, Gardner, Ferguson, Madera; Chucho, Jerome. Subs: Taylor, Bowyer, Larsson, Phillips, McFadden, Parnaby, Vignal.