Keane is hoping Etuhu will be fit

9:32am Friday 8th February 2008

ROY KEANE will assess the fitness of Dickson Etuhu today in the hope the Nigerian can provide a quick solution to Sunderland's worsening midfield crisis.

Liam Miller has become the latest member of the Black Cats squad to face a period of time on the treatment table, so Etuhu is in line for a return to the starting line-up against Wigan tomorrow.

But it is understood that Etuhu has returned to Wearside with a slight calf problem sustained while playing for his country at the African Cup of Nations.

The £1.5m midfielder had to be replaced in the quarter-final defeat to Ghana after 71 minutes.

It is not thought to be serious, although at any other time the likelihood is that Etuhu would have been rested after spending the last three weeks in Ghana.

But Keane, given his lack of alternatives, has no little option but to gamble on playing the 25- year-old.

Miller could be out of action for up to a month with his own calf problem, suffered during the Republic of Ireland's 1-0 defeat to Brazil on Wednesday night.

Keane is already having to cope without a number of his first choice midfielders.

Dwight Yorke is still nursing a calf problem, while Grant Leadbitter is short of fitness after breaking a toe and Kieran Richardson suffered further injury woe last Saturday.

He aggravated a hamstring complaint and he is unlikely to figure against Wigan.

As well as looking into the prospect of fielding Etuhu, Keane also has the option of asking Andy Reid to make his debut, despite being short of fitness.

Reid, the £4m signing from Charlton, is the perfect alternative to play on the right in the continued absence of Carlos Edwards, whose season continues to be blighted by injury.

It could be that the Irishman opts to stick with the threepronged attack which has fared well in recent weeks, although the problem would be which two others to play in the middle with captain Dean Whitehead.

A switch to a 4-4-2 system, however, would mean that Keane would be able to just ask Etuhu - if fit - to come into the middle, with Daryl Murphy and one of Andy Reid, Anthony Stokes or Roy O'Donovan on the flanks.

■ Supporters are urged to arrive early tomorrow to buy their tickets in advance.

Ticket collection points are expected to be busy, and the club are anticipating a crowd of more than 40,000.

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