Alex Pritchard and Nathan Broadhead are close to rejoining Sunderland's play-off challenge - but boss Alex Neil is unsure whether they will be fit to return this weekend. Both Pritchard and Broadhead have been sidelined through injury since early March, depriving the Black Cats of two key men as the season reaches a crucial stage.
Midfielder Pritchard has been out of action with an ankle injury that saw him limp out of Sunderland's goalless draw at Charlton, while on-loan Everton striker Broadhead picked up a hamstring issue in the same game in what was his first outing since suffering a much more serious hamstring problem before Christmas. Both players have recovered more quickly than first thought, and they have joined in training this week.
Sunderland resume their League One campaign against Gillingham at the Stadium of Light on Saturday and Neil was non-commital over Pritchard and Broadhead's chances of featuring, although it was notable that he did not rule them out at this stage. "We were concerned that both would be long-term issues, but they have recovered quicker than anticipated," said Neil.
