Sunderland's injury list remains a relatively significant one but with late-summer signings beginning to bed into the side, Tony Mowbray's options are growing.
So what's the latest on the injury front, who could be back this weekend and who is likely facing a longer absence? Here we run you through all you need to know, player by player...
5. ELIEZER MAYENDA
Mayenda has been recovering from a hamstring problem picked up in his first training session and Mowbray said he was another that could return just before the upcoming international break.
With Sunderland's attacking options now significantly deeper given Rusyn and Mason Burstow's availability, though, it may well be that mowbray allows him to integrate further in training and perhaps build his sharpness in U21 football before exposing him to the Championship. Potential return date: Stoke City (A) 21st October. Photo: Frank Reid
6. DENNIS CIRKIN
Cirkin suffered a hamstring injury during the last international break and while there is no set date for his return, Mowbray said he expected him to miss a few weeks and at this stage he is not back in training.
A return before the next international break appears unlikely at this stage, so Niall Huggins' improving match sharpness and performance level is a big boost. Three games in a week would represent a significant step up for the versatile full back, though. Potential return date: Stoke City (A) 21st October. Photo: Frank Reid
7. TIMOTHÉE PEMBÉLÉ
Pembélé spent much of last season recovering from a cruciate ligament injury and arrived on Wearside having not played any competitive football since March.
As such, he has been working on a bespoke fitness programme designed by Sunderland staff to help him build up to the point where he can join first-team training and begin to compete for regular minutes.
He is unlikely to be in the side before the international break and will need some U21 minutes before he features in the Championship. There is a hectic schedule next month and towards the end of that period there might be the chance to start slowly giving him exposure. If Cirkin and Alese return to fitness as expected, then with Huggins performing well Mowbray will need to push the Frenchman before he is ready. Potential return date: Norwich City (H) 28th October. Photo: ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT
8. JAY MATETE
Matete suffered a knee injury in the final game of Sunderland's pre-season trip to the USA, a major blow given that he was making a strong impression on the coaching staff following a successful loan at Plymouth Argyle. The midfielder is set to be sidelined until November and will then need to build back up. Putting a date on his return is therefore impossible at this stage but Mowbray's hope has been that he will be back around the group regularly by the time the festive schedule begins. Potential return date: West Brom (H) 9th December. Photo: Frank Reid