Sunderland at the JJB

Roy Keane brings his Sunderland side to the JJB for their first visit since August 2005 when Jason Roberts converted a first minute penalty to give the Latics a 1-0 win

Sunderland were relegated that season but bounced straight back up under the leadership of manager Roy Keane and chairman Niall Quinn

Keane went to Sunderland last season and immediately started to build his own team, recruiting two Latics players in the process, David Connolly and Graham Kavanagh.

This summer has seen Keane repeat his recruitment drive and he`s spent large amounts of cash on players without too much, if any, Premiership experience, indeed Leighton Baines was the subject of a £6.5 million Keane bid before he signed for Everton

Michael Chopra, Dickson Etuhu, Kieron Richardson, Paul McShane, Greg Halford and famously Craig Gordon have all been added to the playing staff with Gordon costing a British record £9 million fee for a goalkeeper

Sunderland have spent £27 million this summer, so far.

Gamble or good business?

We will need to wait until May to find the answer to that question.

Sunderland started their campaign off well against Spurs with a late, late Chopra goal to give them a 1-0 victory at the stadium of light

The Mackems followed this up with a mid-week 2-2 draw at St. Andrews against Birmingham with Chopra again on the score sheet

So a good start for Sunderland and they will come to the JJB looking to continue their fine early form but will find Latics a different opposition than they have met so far

Latics are more organised than Spurs and better quality through out than Birmingham and have their own man on fire in Antoine Sibierski.

A good gate is expected though Latics fans can still buy tickets for the game right up till kick-off time from the East stand ticket office

Antoine Sibierski should start again for the Latics, he left the pitch early on Wednesday but it was confirmed to be just cramp

Ryan Taylor is still out injured

Michael Brown comes into contention to make his Latics league debut following his suspension

Latics from:

Chris Kirkland,

Mario Melchiot, Andreas Granqvist, Titus Bramble, Kevin Kilbane,

Luis Antonio Valencia, Denny Landzaat, Paul Scharner. Michael Brown, Jason Koumas.

Emile Heskey, Antoine Sibierski.

Subs from,

Mike Pollitt, Fitz Hall, Josip Skoko, David Cotterill, Julius Aghahowa, Henri Camara.

Great display on Wednesday against Middlesbrough, flair, pace and not afraid to shoot

Carlos Edwards and Grant Leadbitter doubtful through injury

No place in the squad for former Latics men Kav and Connolly

Sunderland from:

Craig Gordon,

Danny Collins, Nyron Nosworthy, Paul McShane, Greg Halford,

Dickson Etuhu, Dean Whitehead, Ross Wallace,

David Connolly, Michael Chopra,

Darren Ward, Roy O'Donovan, Liam Miller, Stern John, Russell Anderson.

Scored two in two and appears to be a man on a mission to prove his doubters wrong

Latics have a 100% Premiership record against Sunderland

Season 2005/6

Latics 1-0 Sunderland (Roberts pen)

Sunderland 0-1 Latics (Camara)

Mike Riley (West Yorkshire),

Previous matches this season

Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool

6 yellow cards

Heart says 3-0 thumping win for the Latics

Head says nervy 2-1 Latics win

West Ham Vs Latics Prem Sat 25/8/2007

Latics Vs Hull City Carling Cup Round 2 Tues 28/8/2007

Newcastle Vs Latics Prem Sat 1/9/2007

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