Jake Vokins steps-up his Sunderland injury return as under-23 side head to Stoke City

The full-back, who signed on loan from Southampton in January, hasn’t featured for the first-time since March after a bout of COVID-19.

Following his positive test, what was described as a ‘flicker’ on Vokins’ heart was detected during an ECG and subsequent tests were conducted.

But having now been cleared to return to action, the youngster will look to build upon the 45 minutes he played for the under-23 side last week as they travel to face high-flying Stoke.

Vokins joins Oliver Younger, Dan Neil and Josh Hawkes in the the Black Cats’ side, while Anthony Patterson also returns having missed the club’s win over Reading last week.

There is no place in the starting line-up for trialist Tom Scott, who has played in recent fixtures amid reports that he has impressed the club’s coaching staff. The Northampton Town youngster is on the bench.

Victory for Sunderland would see them secure a place in the Premier League 2 play-offs ahead of their final game of the season next Monday – which also comes against Stoke City.

The Potters themselves currently sit second, with Leeds United having secured promotion as champions.

Clinching a play-off spot would cap a remarkable turnaround for Elliott Dickman’s side, who finished last season rock bottom of the division with just a single point to their name.

Sunderland XI: Patterson, Almond, Younger, K Richardson, Vokins, E Taylor, Wearne, Wilding, Neil, Harris, Hawkes

Sunderland subs: Hackett, A Richardson, Wombwell, Scott, Johnston

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