Dion Sanderson injury latest as Sunderland hope for Aiden McGeady boost ahead of Accrington Stanley

The Wolves loanee has missed the Black Cats’ last three games with a back injury, but there are hopes he could return to action before the end of the season.

And head coach Lee Johnson is hopeful of some positive news in the coming days on that front, after Sanderson returned to his parent club for further checks.

"I think we’ll know more in the next 48 hours,” said the Sunderland boss.

"He’s gone back to Wolves and there’s been real positive discussions. Dion is dead set that he’s okay and he wants to continue to play.

“He wants to manage it, if you like, until the end of the season.

"It’s not a case that he’s a young player that’s effectively been told what to do. He’s got an opinion, he’s a strong voice and I think he’s showed a good attitude.

"But of course, we’ve got to protect – especially a young player like that – his long-term prospects.

"I think Wolves are just going through a couple of extra scan checks. They don’t believe it’s a massive problem, but they’ve got to check it through true and sound due diligence.”

Sanderson is unlikely to feature against Accrington Stanley on Saturday, but Aiden McGeady could return after he missed the midweek draw at Hull City.

"I would put him at 50/50,” said Johnson, when quizzed on the winger.

"He’s tough, like I said, so he wants to play.

"It’s still very bruised, but at the same time it is a superficial injury. It’s not anything bone related or ligament related – so if you can handle the pain and smash in one from 25 yards, hopefully in the top corner, then you can play.”

Tom Flanagan is also now on the road to recovery, after a third opinion on his persistent foot injury yielded some good news – while Southampton loanee Jake Vokins is also nearing a return.

"When I spoke to you last, we got some bad news after that but it’s almost come around again so it’s good news again,” explained Johnson, speaking about Flanagan’s injury.

"I think he’s going to have to crack on with it now. I think he feels comfortable and he’s been fitted with some orthotics.

"He’s out there. He’s not training with the first team but he’s out on the grass with the rehab guys working hard.

"I think it’s a strange moment, because there’s a bit of a race against time to get him fit because we know how important he can be.

"We’ve got the same with Conor McLaughlin, who is a very important player for us.

"You imagine those two back and it gives you a lot of versatility to be able to push Luke into midfield or Max into midfield and really sort of work to what we’ve tried to build in terms of energy levels and our press.

“We’ve had to adjust and we've adjusted really well, we’ve had a bit of a blip but now any player back is very welcome.

"We’ve got Jake Vokins as well who looks quite sharp.”

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