Tony Mowbray will leave it late before deciding whether to include Amad in Sunderland's starting line-up at Burnley tonight, with the forward having travelled 'halfway round the world' on international duty. On-loan Manchester United man Amad was away with the Ivory Coast during the international break, taking part in The Elephants' Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Comoros.
Amad was an unused substitute as Ivory Coast won 3-1 at home, but started the return fixture and played more than 70 minutes as The Elephants won 2-0. Ivory Coast are top of their qualification group, but in fact were already assured of qualification for the finals as the host nation when the tournament takes place in January and February next year.
The long journey back to Wearside meant that Amad has had no time to train ahead ahead of the trip to Turf Moor and Mowbray will have to decide whether he is ready to start against the Championship leaders. Edouard Michut and Abdoullah Ba have both been away with France U19 and were involved in a series of three friendlies played in Marbella, Spain.
