Sunderland's World Cup representatives returned to Wearside this week and could be back in contention for Monday's game against West Bromwich Albion. Defender Bailey Wright and winger Jewison Bennette were the Black Cats' men in Qatar, with the former reaching the last 16 with Australia before the Socceroos were knocked out by Argentina, while the latter's Costa Rica side exited at the group stage.
Wright was involved in one of Australia's four games at the tournament, while Bennette played a part in all three of Los Ticos' group games. Wright returned to the Academy of Light earlier this week and asked to play in Wednesday's behind-closed-doors friendly against Middlesbrough at Rockliffe Park.
Bennette arrived back on Wednesday and was back in training yesterday. "They are both back," said Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray.
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"Bailey wanted to play on Wednesday, so he had a run-out. Jewison only got back on Wednesday so he trained yesterday and looked good, sharp.
"Jewi said it was a great experience for him, and he played a part in all Costa Rica's games. Playing against Spain wasn't ideal, obviously, losing 7-0, but I think for his age it is an amazing experience for him to have been to a World Cup.
"He showed some glimpses in training yesterday of what he has got, he's a wonderful talent. He's another asset that we can utilise as the season unfolds in front of us."
The Championship season took a four-week hiatus to accommodate the early stages of the World Cup, although Sunderland opted to cut short their break in order to play Millwall last weekend, with a 3-0 win against Lions lifting Mowbray's men into the top ten. The rest of the Championship resumes this weekend, however Sunderland's home game against West Brom has been moved to Monday night for live TV broadcast.
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