Sunderland have received a double fitness boost with the news that Luke O'Nien is expected to be fit for tomorrow's game against Luton Town while forward Amad could also make his return - although boss Tony Mowbray hinted that there were fitness concerns over a couple of other unnamed players. O'Nien limped off near the end of the Black Cats' midweek defeat against Sheffield United after catching a stray boot in a challenge with Ollie Norwood, which made him a doubt for the game against the Hatters at the Stadium of Light.
But Mowbray said this afternoon that O'Nien should be ready to continue at left-back, where he has been deputising in recent games while both Dennis Cirkin and Aji Alese have been sidelined through injury. On-loan Manchester United forward Amad has missed the last two games with a minor hamstring issue but he has trained today and could be in the squad tomorrow.
"Luke O'Nien should be alright," said Mowbray. "A few didn't train today so we'll see tomorrow to see if they're going to be alright.
READ MORE: Sunderland's homegrown keeper Anthony Patterson earns first England U21 call-up
"Amad trained today so there's a positive for us. Like for a long time since I first walked in, we have different challenges with different players in different areas, you'll see when the team sheet comes out and you think 'why isn't he playing'.
"Well it's not for me to tell you the day before a game who's available and who's not available. As always we have challenges but we'll give it our best shot and hopefully be competitive in the game."
Like star striker Ross Stewart (Achilles) and midfielder Corry Evans (cruciate ligament), Alese (thigh) has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign. Cirkin is also not yet ready to return after suffering concussion in the draw at Millwall at the beginning of last month.
He saw a specialist in London this week but has not yet been given the all-clear to resume full-contact training, which is the next step towards a first-team return.
READ NEXT:
- Dan Ballard on Sunderland's response after 'tough to take' moment against Sheffield United
- Sunderland's 1973 Road to Wembley relived: Watson and Guthrie down Luton to earn semi-final spot
- Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray on 'concerning' Luke O'Nien injury and Amad's chances of weekend return
- Sunderland's play-off hopes ebbbing away as officials' blunder costs them against Sheffield United
- Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom has his say on 'harsh' offside call which downed Sunderland
