Kilbane vows: I'll be back - January 12, 2001
Irish international Kevin Kilbane looks set to sit out Sunderland's Premiership fixture against West Ham this Saturday - but the winger has vowed: I'll fight my way back.
Kilbane lost his place after the game against Manchester City on December 23 and sat out the match against Arsenal the following week, with Julio Arca filling the left-side midfield position.
With Arca away on international duty last week, the Irishman hoped to regain his place for the FA Cup match against Crystal Palace. Instead, the returning Stefan Schwarz was preferred and Kilbane had to be content with a substitute appearance late in the game.
But with Ireland's World Cup qualifying campaign due to resume in March, the 23-year-old is determined to win back his first-team place.
"I've been taken off in some matches and I know I haven't been doing as well as I should," he said. "But I am determined to improve and there is definitely more to come."
Ironically, Kilbane started the season in blistering form. But he was suspended in early November after getting a red card against Chelsea in October - and on his return, his form dipped.
Kilbane's international and club team-mate Niall Quinn is hoping to be fit to face West Ham. He has been struggling with a back injury over the last few weeks - but now stand-in striker Danny Dichio is suspended and Quinn may have to cut short his convalescence.