Plus ca Change

Seagulls denied by Campbell leveller

Fraizer Campbell denied Brighton with a late equaliser as Sunderland claimed a 1-1 draw in their pre-season friendly in the Algarve...

Young keeper Trevor Carson had to make a superb save from Murray after Matt Kilgallon's error and the Black Cats then had George McCartney stretchered off, but Campbell provided a silver lining when he stretched to turn in Jordan Henderson's excellent free-kick.

What I'm taking from this for fantasy purposes:

* Carson is Sunderland's number one in Gordon's absence. Interestingly, he's listed as a defender on Y!'s Sunderland squad page. Wouldn't that make for an interesting fantasy selection?

* Last year's fantasy favorite Jordan Henderson is still on set piece duty.

* McCartney is through. He was always a decent fantasy bet, despite a penchant for the rash card (of various colors). But He can't get or stay healthy. I assume that means we'll see KRich line up at full back again this season. Sunderland are rich in the middle with da Silva, Ferdinand, Kilgallon, Turner and maybe Mensah but don't have any fullbacks beyond Bardsley.

... and the why:

Sunderland's opening fixtures include Birmingham, @West Brom, Manchester City, @Wigan before Arsenal, @Liverpool and Manchester United. Bruce will want points from those early matches and there could be bargains on the Sunderland side who were good bets for much of last season.

Bruce sweating over McCartney injury

via YahooUk!/Eurosport:

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is anxiously awaiting news of George McCartney's hamstring injury amid speculation the defender could be sidelined for up to six weeks.

McCartney damaged the hamstring in training on Friday ahead of Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier in Poland, and missed that game.

He remains a major doubt for Wednesday's clash with Slovakia, and there are fears on Wearside that a man who has a history of similar problems could be out of action for several weeks.

That would represent a serious blow to Bruce as well as the 28-year-old, who is the club's only recognised senior left-back.

Danny Collins, a centre-half who played much of his football for the Black Cats at left-back, was allowed to join Barclays Premier League rivals Stoke as the transfer window drew to a close last week...

Youngster Michael Liddle is injured as well as inexperienced, and Bruce may have to be creative as he looks for a replacement.

Right-back Phil Bardsley has played on the left before, as has central defender John Mensah, a loan signing from Lyon, although that might be a big ask for the new arrival.

McCartney had looked good this season, getting forward and getting fantasy points.  He was always going to be popular this week as Sunderland host Hull City.  Collins would have been the clear pick as he looked comfortable filling in for McCartney for long stretches last season.  But now we'll have to wait and see what Bruce has in mind.  However, Bardsley is a bit expensive, and Mensah isn't in the system yet.  So maybe it's just a stay away.