It's been one of the most traumatic weeks in Leeds United's recent history - with the shock revelations that Woodgate and Bowyer had been questioned by Police in connection with an assault on an Asian youth.

However, on Sunday we get an opportunity to focus the nation's attention back onto our footballing skills - with our first ever visit to the Stadium of Light.

Leeds team news is uncertain, following the week's events. However, supporters will be hoping that both players make the starting line up, especially since - as yet - they have not been proven guilty of any crime. I guess the only other reason the Boss might omit them is if they haven't been able to focus on the task in hand, due to their other distractions.

However, all in all, it would be a major surprise if they didn't play - especially Woodgate, who is desperately needed - with Radebe away on South African duty.

Batty is still not fit, despite rumours to the contrary earlier last week, but if O'Leary wished he could give a return to David Hopkin - who has recovered from his recent hernia operation. Alan Smith is suspended but Bridges will be looking forward to returning against his old club.

The good news for us is that Quinn won't be playing - as he's suspended. He really is one of the most underrated players in the Premiership and really makes Sunderland tick. Without him they might have trouble putting the ball in the back of the net. Phillips is a different player when the big man is alongside him. Reid will probably replace him with either Oster or recent signing Kilblaine.

I found myself sitting in the middle of the Sunderland supporters, which is never easy when your team take a two goal lead. However, it was all worth it - as the lads did us proud once more, putting behind them the troubles of the past week to beat Sunderland 2-1.

O'Leary kept faith with Woodgate and Bowyer whilst, ironically, it was Peter Reid who dropped two of the home team, Summerbee and Makin, following a training ground bust up.

We started the game the better and made the first real chance, Bowyer shooting wide following good work by Bridges. As expected, the match was played like a cup tie, at a frenetic pace, with little love lost between the two sides. Midway through the first half, Sunderland had their best opportunity to take the lead. McCann crossed the ball into the box and Phillips (who else?) shot low towards the bottom corner of the United goal, only for Martyn to pull off a superb reflex save, low to his left.

It proved to be a turning point, as we soon took the lead. On 23 minutes, McPhail found Wilcox on yhe left side of midfield. Our new signing, making his first full start, surged towards the Sunderland area, unleashing a fierce 20 yard drive past Sorensen. A great goal!

Then, just a minute before half time, we should have doubled our lead. Bridges skipped past two defenders on the left flank and crossed a superb ball into the box. Kewell met it but could only deflect it over the bar. He should have done much better.

The second half started a little scrappily. However, we looked to have killed the game off on 51 minutes. Wilcox, who was having a storming time down the left, fired in a superb cross which was met on the volley by Bridges, for his fourteenth goal of the season. The Stadium of Light was as silent as I've heard it.

However, just over a minute later, a bad slip by Woodgate let the home side back into things, as Phillips took advantage to slot the ball coolly past Martyn. The Sky cameras must love us...we always like to make a game of it - and life difficult for ourselves.

Bowyer, who was his usual dynamic self, had a good opportunity to regain us the lead but blasted over the bar. However, for the last twenty minutes we had to soak up plenty of Sunderland pressure as the searched desperately for an equaliser. Thankfully, apart from one moment of ball juggling by Martyn and a couple more scrambles, we never looked in serious danger. However, sitting in the stands, the last quarter of an hour seemed to last ten times as long.

When Mr Jones blew for full time, there was much relief from Leeds players and supporters alike. This was a massive victory, not only given the events of the week and our forthcoming fixtures, but also because the Stadium of Light is a place that few teams will come and get three points, despite their recent mini slump.

Roll on Villa next Sunday!

United Star Man: Jason Wilcox