By Longsider
November 28 2003

Burnley take on Sunderland tomorrow as we go searching for our first away win in nearly 3 months. The Mackems have only lost once at home which was against Millwall on the opening day of the season. Burnley are off up North tomorrow for a Division Clash against Sunderland. Its the first time we've been to the Stadium of Light and our first visit to the city since 1994 when we secured a point in a 0-0 draw under Jimmy Mullen.

The travelling support has been short on numbers this season however tomorrow will see a similar following to the one that went to Upton Park back in October. Hopefully they'll be able to roar on the side to an away victory that we haven't had since Stoke on September 6th.

There are various connections between the club with Kevin Ball a coach for the Mackems and former physio Ian Liversedge, who left us for Liverpool, is now also there.

Sunderland have had an indifferent season so far. They came very close to breaking the league record of defeats, held by Darwen, until they beat Preston in August to end the run of 17 straight defeats. Since that victory they have done pretty well and are currently fifth in the Division.

Burnley are forced to make at least one change on the pitch and one on the bench with Arthur Gnohere, serving his one match suspension, and Delroy Facey, back at Bolton, both missing from the squad that beat Reading.

Graham Branch limped off against Reading and is regarded as doubtful but the rest of the side came through the Reading game unscathed. With Branch rated as doubtful its almost certain that Mark McGregor will take the place of Gnohere at the back with Luke Chadwick coming in for Branch on the left hand side although Stan may play Little on the left.

Sunderland will welcome the return of Kevin Kyle to the side after recovering from a hip injury. John Oster is serving the last game of his suspension whilst Irish defender Gary Breen is also out because of a knee injury. The Mackems will also be missing Matt Piper, Thomas Butler and Sean Thornton.

Mick McCarthy wants a goal fest as his side has only scored 4 goals in 8 games so he'll be quietly confident if he's seen the goals we've conceded in recent weeks.

As mentioned earlier Burnley have sold over 2000 tickets for the game but you can still pay on the gate although there won't be concessions available which shouldn't make too much difference when you consider a concession is required to pay £17.

Expected Burnley team:

Jenson, West, May, McGregor, Camara, Little, Grant, Chaplow, Chadwick, Blake, I.Moore.

Subs: Weller, Roche, Branch, O'Neill and Plikington.

The referee is Alan Kaye(West Yorkshire).