Sunderland sixth, but Bruce cautious

SUNDERLAND (AP):

A genuine test of Sunderland's resources is looming following the 1-0 home win on Saturday over Bolton Wanderers that lifted them above Owen Coyle's team and into sixth place in the Premier League.

It is their highest position for nearly a decade, but a long injury list and a trip to Manchester United on Boxing Day will make it difficult for them to stay there.

John Mensah has been ruled out after injuring an ankle in this win, joining fellow defenders Titus Bramble and Michael Turner on the sidelines.

In midfield, David Meyler is injured and Lee Cattermole will be banned for the game at Old Trafford, while Danny Welbeck, the goalscorer against Bolton, is ineligible because he is on loan from United.

But as long as Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon can maintain the form he showed, Sunderland manager Steve Bruce can return to his former club in an optimistic frame of mind.

Third successive clean sheet

Sunderland achieved their third successive clean sheet only thanks to a remarkable 44th-minute save, which revived memories of the famous double save by Jimmy Montgomery when Sunderland beat Leeds in the FA Cup final in 1973.

Gordon, a Scottish international who has missed most of the season through injury, showed tremendous reactions to turn a close-range shot from Zat Knight over the bar.

"Jim Montgomery comes to mind," Bruce said. "It was a terrific save. To produce a save like that is fantastic and will give him confidence.

"It's certainly the save of the season - it will take some beating. Let's hope he has an injury-free run now.

"We are down to the bare bones defensively, but managed to keep another clean sheet. I'm told we have got more than anybody else in the league and that's fantastic."

Bruce was more restrained, though, as he surveyed Sunderland's prospects for the rest of a season when he targeted a finish in the top 10 of the league.

"I've learned not to get too carried away. We have to dampen down expectations, but we are doing very well and I believe we have a decent squad of good, young players," he said.

"If we stay where we are until the spring, we may be able to mount a challenge to finish higher. That would be fantastic."

Welbeck and Cattermole were other central figures in a win that leaves Sunderland unbeaten at the Stadium of Light this season.

Welbeck scored for the fifth time in six games, underlining why United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, is certain to keep him after his loan expires at the end of this season.