Ross Stewart could be fit to play a part at Hull City this weekend with Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray taking a 'wait and see' approach with his star striker. Stewart was expected to be back in the squad for the first time since suffering a thigh injury at the end of August, with Mowbray hinting that he could be on the bench for last night's game against West Brom at the Stadium of Light.
But in the end there was no sign of the Scotland international, as the Black Cats went on to lose 2-1. Afterwards Mowbray said Stewart was feeling a little discomfort after playing 60 minutes of a behind-closed-doors friendly against Middlesbrough at Rockliffe Park last Wednesday, and he decided not to risk him.
As to whether Stewart could play a part at Hull on Saturday, Mowbray said: "I wish I was a physio! I ask those questions of my physio. Let's wait and see.
READ MORE: Tony Mowbray issues optimistic Ross Stewart return update after Sunderland's defeat to West Brom
"The player always has an input, but I'm sure he's been out that long that he doesn't want to come back and break down. He wants to be 100 percent right."
And of his decision to leave him out against the Baggies, Mowbray added: "He did a cool-down on Thursday and said he felt something, and there haven't been many training days since. He didn't train on Saturday or Sunday because he was feeling it a little bit.
"It's really a case of having a conversation with the boy. If he's feeling a bit uncomfortable, why would we throw him in?
"If he then came in and he's torn where he was feeling discomfort... I think you just have to let things settle down. He hasn't played any football for three and a bit months, then he played 60 minutes in a game in which we controlled him. He scored in the game, he looked good, he looked sharp, ready to go.
"He didn't complain of anything in the game, played 60 minutes, felt a million dollars, and then just the next day he felt a bit tight, a bit stiff. Give him a day or two to settle down and hopefully his body will be fine.
"The team scored three goals in the last game [against Millwall] and that was partly in my mind as to why Ross, if he's feeling a little bit uncomfortable, let's not take a chance.
"Let's be patient. We've been without him for three and a bit months, so when he is ready he will be ready and hopefully he will improve our team."
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