Sunderland are just over a week away from their first Championship fixture of the 2023/24 season - yet the Black Cats are still dealing with a few injury issues.
Head coach Tony Mowbray has been able to welcome some first team players back into his squad over the summer, after several were sidelined at the end of the last campaign.
Some players also missed Sunderland’s pre-season US tour as they continue to recover from injury setbacks.
Here are the players who have been sidelined in recent weeks and their situations ahead of The Black Cats’ season opener against Ipswich on Sunday, August 6:
9. Adam Richardson
Richardson would have travelled with the senior squad on the US tour but suffered an injury setback just before the trip. The 19-year-old is expected to be sidelined for the start of the upcoming campaign, with Sunderland looking to sign another goalkeeper as back-up for Anthony Patterson. Photo: FRANK REID