Poom doubtful for Tuesday bluebirds' match

Mart Poom faces a race to be declared fit for Tuesday evening's home match against Cardiff City.

The Estonian picked up a shoulder injury whilst on international duty this weekend and failed to train with the Sunderland team on Monday morning, but he will take a fitness test at the Academy of Light on Tuesday.

Estonia lost 2-0 to Belgium on Saturday evening, finishing 4th out of 5 in group 8).

If Poom is judged unfit, Michael Ingham will take his place, with Thomas Myhre on the bench.

But whoever goes between the sticks tomorrow will have to face the formidable Cardiff striker Robert Earnshaw, who has already scored nine goals from eleven league matches for the Bluebirds this season, four of them coming in the Welsh side's defeat of Gillingham at Ninian Park last month.

Tomorrow's match comes too soon for Paul Thirlwell, skipper Jason McAteer, Matty Piper and Steven Wright, who will not be back to full fitness in time to play.

Loan signing Alan Quinn IS expected to take some part in the game.

On the subject of loans, Cardiff boss Lennie Lawrence expects to complete a loan signing (player unknown) tomorrow but says that the player involved will not take part in tomorrow evening's match.