Sunderland's injury list remains a relatively significant one but Tony Mowbray expressed confidence that his options would be far stronger after this current international break as a number of players close in on a return.
So what's the latest on the injury front, who could be back next Saturday and who is likely facing a longer absence?
![Mowbray is hugely encouraged by what he has seen from Mayenda on the training pitch, but doesn't want to push him too soon.
He could well make his first appearance in red and white in an U21s game next week, which would be move him very close to a senior debut.
"Eliezer I've talked about before, he's a real talent," Mowbray said.
"He's exceptionally sharp, direct and is going to catch the eye and upset a few players on the pitch I think. I'm hoping that he'll be able to play part of the U21s game on Monday, we're playing Hibs I think, because now he just needs to get his boots on and play some football.
"I'm not going to stick him on the bench before he's even kicked a ball, we have to do it properly with him and keep building him up. But he is not far away now."
Potential return date: Norwich City (H), October 28th](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjg4YzgzZTc1LTFkNjktNDk2Zi04MGViLWNhNDIyNzJjNGU2NTo2NDk5YjU3ZC03YTI4LTRjZjQtODQyOS1mMzdlODZmZTAwMmI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
9. ELIEZER MAYENDA
Mowbray is hugely encouraged by what he has seen from Mayenda on the training pitch, but doesn't want to push him too soon. He could well make his first appearance in red and white in an U21s game next week, which would be move him very close to a senior debut. "Eliezer I've talked about before, he's a real talent," Mowbray said. "He's exceptionally sharp, direct and is going to catch the eye and upset a few players on the pitch I think. I'm hoping that he'll be able to play part of the U21s game on Monday, we're playing Hibs I think, because now he just needs to get his boots on and play some football. "I'm not going to stick him on the bench before he's even kicked a ball, we have to do it properly with him and keep building him up. But he is not far away now." Potential return date: Norwich City (H), October 28th Photo: Frank Reid
![Timothée Pembélé arrived from PSG still recovering from a long-term ACL injury, with Sunderland drawing up a bespoke fitness programme for him.
The full back rejoined full training but has suffered a setback and will need a couple of weeks to recover.
With some time in the U21 side likely required before he can make his senior debut, it's now highly unlikely he'll be back anytime before the next international break.
"Timothée was training well but he's going to be at least four weeks away," Mowbray said.
"I'm no physio but it seems as if there is a difference to the intensity of the training here and we've seen it with other players whereby they find it difficult to adjust.
"So I think he's going to be a few weeks, which is a shame because he was training and looking very athletic and talented. He's picked up another injury but maybe sometime after the next international break, we'll have to wait and see. I'd suggest it's just a process for him of acclimatising."
Potential return date: West Brom (H) December 9th](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjg2YWJlM2I0LTk1MmEtNDBjNC04MDRmLWI4OTVkZjFhMjJjYTo4MTQyODU2Yi1iMzY2LTRjOTEtOTQ0NC0wNTVkNjEyNjJhMWY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
10. TIMOTHÉE PEMBÉLÉ
Timothée Pembélé arrived from PSG still recovering from a long-term ACL injury, with Sunderland drawing up a bespoke fitness programme for him. The full back rejoined full training but has suffered a setback and will need a couple of weeks to recover. With some time in the U21 side likely required before he can make his senior debut, it's now highly unlikely he'll be back anytime before the next international break. "Timothée was training well but he's going to be at least four weeks away," Mowbray said. "I'm no physio but it seems as if there is a difference to the intensity of the training here and we've seen it with other players whereby they find it difficult to adjust. "So I think he's going to be a few weeks, which is a shame because he was training and looking very athletic and talented. He's picked up another injury but maybe sometime after the next international break, we'll have to wait and see. I'd suggest it's just a process for him of acclimatising." Potential return date: West Brom (H) December 9th Photo: ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT
![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.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmViYTc4Mjk0LTBmZjMtNDM1YS05ZmE5LWI3MDhjOWEzNGM5NzozOTZlZTlmMi1mMzg2LTRlOTEtOTM4NC1hNjRkMmQ3OGMxZWQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
11. 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
![Evans is continuing his recovery from a major ACL injury, and is thought to be highly unlikely to return to competitive football before the new year.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjc4YmM1YzRmLTdkNWMtNGNiMy05M2MyLTZhNzkzNjlkNTUxOTpmMGJmMzQ1NC1jZTM3LTQwYWItYjUwYi01MGFkNWU5NTE0YWE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
12. CORRY EVANS
Evans is continuing his recovery from a major ACL injury, and is thought to be highly unlikely to return to competitive football before the new year. Photo: Frank Reid