Ross Stewart is likely to be on the bench 'at a minimum' when Sunderland take on West Bromwich Albion on Wearside on Monday night, according to Tony Mowbray. Scotland international striker Stewart has been out of action with a thigh injury since the end of August, but is now fully fit and played for around an hour of the Black Cats' behind-closed-doors practice game against Middlesbrough at Rockliffe Park this week, marking the occasion with a goal.
Stewart will train with the squad over the next few days and as long as he feels fine, head coach Mowbray says the 26-year-old should be involved against Baggies. "There's a chance [of him being involved]," said Mowbray.
"He scored very early on in that [practice] game - it was a really, really good goal, to be honest. It was played on a training ground, it was freezing cold, it wasn't an ideal game but it was good for his confidence to be out there playing in an 11-vs-11 football match.
"We'll see how he trains for the rest of the week. He was cooling down with the lads who played in that game, but he will train in the days before the [West Brom] game.
"I think he will make the bench at a minimum, as long as he feels strong and confident. When players have been out for a while, it can't be just the manager's decision, I have to make sure that he feels confident in his body and that he is ready to impact the game at some stage."
It has been a long absence for Stewart, who had played just once under Mowbray when injury struck - scoring twice in a 3-0 win against Rotherham at the Stadium of Light. Mowbray said: "He's always positive. He's a really good character around the building.
"He's earned the respect of all of the team through what he has achieved in his time at the club. I try and temper it a bit - we shouldn't expect that Ross is back on the pitch so we are going to score loads of goals all the time, every touch will be in the back of the net.
"What I do know is that he works really hard, he knows where the back of the net is. He has played one game under me and he scored two goals.
"I'm looking forward to having him back in contention again."
Mowbray also said that Dennis Cirkin played the full 90 minutes against Boro to build-up his match fitness, while Bailey Wright was also involved following his return to Wearside after taking part in the World Cup with Australia. Alex Pritchard and Luke O'Nien did not train today due to minor injuries, but both are expected to be fit for Monday's game.
Mowbray says defender Dan Ballard, who has been out since mid-August due to a foot injury, is now back in full training and could figure in Monday's U21 game at Reading to ease him back gently. He said: "Dan Ballard has been back in full training for the last couple of days.
"We are looking to maybe give him some gametime at Reading away on Monday with the U21s and then that's him just about up and running. He looks really powerful and strong."
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