DANNY COLLINS is backing Kenwyne Jones to continue his hot streak – and make it a blue Monday for Manchester City.
Jones has netted four goals in his seven games for Sunderland, including one in each of the last three matches, and has been in top form since his arrival from Southampton in August.
Defender Collins says Jones has been a big hit in his short time on Wearside and his strength, power and aerial prowess has given Sunderland another attacking option.
He said: “Kenwyne has been a big plus for us and long may it continue. I’m not one to put price tags on people but Kenwyne has looked every inch a £6 million player since he came here.
“He’s a very relaxed character – particularly in training – but he puts in a shift on matchdays and he is getting his reward. He’s been playing really well in recent games and he’s worked really hard and scored goals.
“Kenwyne has been a big signing for us and hopefully that will continue for the rest of the season and beyond.”
Jones’ latest goal earned Sunderland a point against Fulham at the Stadium of Light last weekend, ending the Black Cats’ run of three successive defeats against Blackburn, Arsenal and West Ham.
They will go to the City of Manchester Stadium looking to earn their first win on the road – and put a dent in City’s 100 per cent home record in the process.
Sunderland have taken just two points away from Wearside, earning draws at Birmingham and Middlesbrough, while Sven-Goran Eriksson’s City have won six out of six on home turf, helping them go into this weekend in third place in the table.
Collins says: “City deserve to be where they are in the league. They play some good football and they should get credit for that.
“Man City have won all their home games and we have yet to win away from home so it will obviously be tough for us to go there tomorrow.
“Against Fulham It was good to end the little run of defeats we had had.
“Ironically, in those games that we lost our performances had been half-decent while last weekend we were pretty poor against Fulham and yet we took a point, which was one of the few positives we could take from that match.
“Man City beat Bolton in the cup in midweek but they go into this game on the back of a hiding at Chelsea in their last league game and so they will be fired up.
“But we will go there full of confidence and hopefully we will come away with at least a point – and preferably all three.”