Sunderland 'underdogs' in derby - Jimmy Montgomery

Sunderland's 1973 FA Cup final hero Jimmy Montgomery has said "anybody could win" the Wear-Tyne derby match on Saturday.

Mr Montgomery was in goal during the Black Cats' shock victory against Leeds 51 years ago.

The Sunderland legend says he sees similarities between that famous FA Cup clash and the upcoming derby game.

"It's going to be the same scenario really, because we're going to be the underdogs," Mr Montgomery said.

Mr Montgomery said a "great" guest is also set to join him at the Stadium of Light to watch the FA Cup clash - Newcastle legend Bobby Moncur.

Mr Moncur, who led Newcastle to the FA Cup final in 1974, also played for Sunderland.

"We'll have good banter, we'll have a great day," Mr Montgomery said.

Four years ago, Mr Montgomery was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

He has been receiving cancer treatment at the Sir Bobby Robson Cancer Trials Research Centre in Newcastle for the last year and is urging people to attend cancer screenings and get tested.

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation launched in 2008 and it has gone on to raise more than £20m to fund more effective ways to detect and treat cancer.

Research centre director Professor Ruth Plummer said: "The most humbling thing about my clinic is patients say to me, 'well if it doesn't help me, it might help somebody else', and this is how new drugs happen."

Mr Montgomery said he cannot wait for Saturday.

"On the day, anybody could win," he said, adding: "You go back 50 years, Leeds United were so much the favourites it was unbelievable, you know, they were never going to lose.

"But we beat them one-nil so, hopefully we can do the same this year."

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