Stead sparked by ex-factorJON STEAD hopes the ex-factor will help him plunder a first Sunderland goal at former club Blackburn...more » Mick: Now let's give Blackburn a real frightMICK McCarthy has called on his players to build on the Boxing Day point gained against Bolton Wande...more » Gray: I just can't waitMICHAEL Gray faces hometown club Sunderland for the first time tonight admitting: "I don't k...more » Show us some respectSTEVE CALDWELL says Bolton's team selection provided Sunderland with the extra motivation to end...more » Point gives Mick heartCHAMPAGNE football it was not....more » McCarthy thrilled to have Kyle in trainingSUNDERLAND striker Kevin Kyle has now returned to training, giving manager Mick McCarthy a massive p...more » Bassila happy to stay busyCHRISTIAN Bassila says he is looking forward Sunderland's game against Bolton Wanderers on Boxin...more » Gray: I just can't wait MICHAEL Gray faces hometown club Sunderland for the first time tonight admitting: "I don't know if I'm excited or nervous." The full-back played more than 400 league and cup games for Sunderland before being sent on loan to Celtic in September 2003 and then joining tonight's opponents Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer in January last year.

He played for the club once more following relegation and said: "I had fantastic times there but the way the club was with their troubles, it was difficult for me to stay there.

"The North East is a very passionate place to play your football and to do that for 13 years was fantastic. A local boy captaining the side was a tremendous feeling.

"He went in there and brought players in that nobody had even heard of and to get them in the Premiership is a fantastic job. Everybody should get behind him."

This is cache, read story here