Thornton to miss Grimsby friendly

Sunderland rising star Sean Thornton will be unable to take part in tommorrow's pre-season friendly against Grimsby after picking up a training ground injury.
Mick McCarthy was intending to include Thornton in the squad to travel to Blundell Park but he sustained a shoulder injury in training today (Fri 18th) and is unfit to play.

The club's official website speculates that the resulting reshuffle will see Paul Thirlwell is set to start in the middle of midfield alongside Jason McAteer.

Kevin Kilbane, Kevin Phillips and Gavin McCann are also injured and will not travel.

Better news however is that Matty Piper has been declared fit, and is available for selection. Piper, 21, also pledged his loyalty to McCarthy saying "I just want an injury-free run and to prove to the manager that I can do a job for him."