Sunderland are preparing for their Championship fixture against Plymouth – with multiple players unavailable for both sides.
The Black Cats moved back up to sixth in the table with a 3-1 win over Birmingham before the international break, meaning they’ve taken seven points from their last three matches.
Plymouth sit 19th after 16 games this season and have taken just one point from their last three matches.
Here’s the latest injury and team news from both camps:
1. Aji Alese (Sunderland) - OUT
Alese hasn't featured this season following surgery on a thigh injury over the summer. The defender isn't far away from making his first-team comeback and has been training with the under-21s squad this week as he's managed back carefully. Photo: Frank Reid
2. Ryan Hardie (Plymouth) - OUT
Hardie has scored six Championship goals for Plymouth this season but has missed the side's last two matches with a hamstring injury. The striker will remain sidelined for the Sunderland fixture. Photo: GLYN KIRK
3. Dan Ballard - DOUBT
Ballard is expected to return to Sunderland's starting XI after serving a one-match suspension for the 3-1 win over Birmingham last time out. While he has trained with the Black Cats squad this week, Ballard did miss a game for Northern Ireland during the international break with a hamstring issue which Sunderland are monitoring. Photo: Frank Reid
4. Mustapha Bundu (Plymouth) - DOUBT
Bundu has also missed Plymouth's last two matches with a hamstring injury but has returned to training and could return against Sunderland. Photo: Getty Images