Niall Huggins is back in training but boss Tony Mowbray has indicated the defender will not feature in this weekend's home game against Bristol City. Huggins has struggled with injuries all season and has not featured since picking up a knock after coming on as a substitute in Sunderland's FA Cup fourth round draw at Fulham three weeks ago.
But Mowbray said the 22-year-old has resumed training, although he will not be rushing him back. "Niall has been back on the grass with his boots on, but we'll be easing him back in," said Mowbray.
Lynden Gooch remains sidelined with a hip flexor injury and he is still a couple of weeks away from a return to training. Mowbray said: "I saw Lynden today, he has a nice new haircut! He'll be ready when he's ready.
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"It was always going to be another couple of weeks in my mind. I always judge when I see them back with their boots on. He's still on a massage bed in the treatment room but fingers crossed it won't be too long.
"It's not a long-term injury, it will be another couple of weeks I think."
Mowbray made three changes for Sunderland's midweek win at QPR, opting to rest Amad and Dan Neil by taking them out of the starting XI and involving them from the bench instead, while Edouard Michut was left out of the squad entirely. All three are available this weekend against the Robins and Mowbray again hinted that he would make a few changes as he tries to manage the workload on his players as they face their fifth game in 15 days.
He said: "There'll probably be one or two changes but there won't be wholesale changes. I'm mindful of the fact I'd like to get back to Saturday-to-Saturday [games] then you can manage well-being throughout the week.
"There are a few knocks, there are a few who don't feel they should train, we're just trying to manage them through. Tomorrow I'll assess who feels they can train, who is flashing amber lights - then see if we can get the balance right.
"The good thing for me is we have some flexible footballers. We have to get the balance right."
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