Elliot Embleton will stay on Wearside rather than travel to the USA with Sunderland, Tony Mowbray has confirmed. The midfielder has been out of action since breaking his ankle in December but is close to a return, and last week Mowbray had suggested last week that he might be eased back into training during the club's ten-day trip to the States.
But, speaking after the Black Cats' first two pre-season friendlies at the weekend, Mowbray now says that Embleton will not be on board when the rest of the squad jets off tomorrow. "Embleton isn't far away, probably the last week of pre-season he'll get back joining in but he is not coming on this trip," said Mowbray.
"He might as well stay at home and work with the physios we're leaving behind and get more work done."
Longer-term absentees such as Ross Stewart (Achilles), Corry Evans (cruciate ligament), Aji Alese (thigh), and Dennis Cirkin (ankle) are also not expected to travel. Mowbray said: "I've seen Ross out on the training ground with the physio, with his trainers on at the minute doing very light stuff but actually back on the grass which is really exciting and positive.
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"Corry Evans is a fair bit away so he's on his plan and keep going with that. Alese is going to bite into the season I think, Cirkin I would hope isn't too far away.
"I would hope he'll be involved in the last couple of pre-season games."
Danny Batth missed out on Sunderland's friendlies against South Shields and Gateshead on Saturday with a knock but he will be heading to the US. While in the USA, Sunderland will take on San Antonio FC, New Mexico FC, and North Carolina FC, before they return to the UK on July 22.
The Black Cats will play a home friendly against Spanish La Liga side RCD Mallorca on July 29, before rounding off their pre-season preparations at Hartlepool United on August 1. Their Championship campaign begins in front of the Sky TV cameras on Sunday, August 6, against newly-promoted Ipswich Town.
