Alex Pritchard is on course for a speedy return to Sunderland's play-off campaign with the influential midfielder expected to begin light training next week. Playmaker Pritchard limped out of the Black Cats' goalless draw at Charlton Athletic a fortnight ago after suffering an ankle injury, with boss Alex Neil fearing he could lose the 28-year-old for an extended period.
However a scan showed the injury was not as bad as was initially thought and he would be out for only a matter of weeks. Now Neil says he hopes Pritchard will be back out on the training pitch at the Academy of Light next week and, with no game next Saturday, that may mean that Pritchard has a chance of being involved when Sunderland resume their League One programme at home to Gillingham on April 2.
"Al's made really good progress," said Neil, speaking ahead of tomorrow's trip to Lincoln City. "As I've said previously, the injury isn't as bad as was first feared.
