Sunderland team and injury latest with potential return dates ahead of Middlesbrough clash - gallery
By Phil Smith
Published 5th Oct 2023, 11:12 BST
Sunderland continued their strong Championship form with a 2-0 win over Watford on Wednesday night and will be looking to keep their momentum rolling in front of what could be a sold-out crowd when Middlesbrough visit on Saturday lunchtime.
Sunderland's injury list remains a relatively significant one but with late-summer signings beginning to bed into the side, Tony Mowbray's options are growing.
So what's the latest on the injury front, who could be back on Saturday and who is likely facing a longer absence?
5. AJI ALESE
Aji Alese took a major step towards his first appearance of the campaign last week by returning to full training with his Sunderland team mates.
As such, Mowbray is increasingly confident that Alese can return to competitive football in the next block of fixtures following the upcoming international break. Given the length of Alese's lay-off, though, the head coach has made clear that his return will be phased and will begin by building match fitness in the U21 set up.
Mowbray isn't yet sure whether Alese will be ready to play in the U21s next week, which could mean he doesn't return immediately after the break. He isn't far off, though. Potential return date: Norwich City (H) 28th October. Photo: Frank Reid
Mayenda looks to be ever so slightly ahead of Alese, with Mowbray upbeat that the striker can soon make a real impact after catching the eye with impressive performances in full training.
If the summer arrival can feature in the U21s on Monday night, which at the moment looks like a real possibility, then he would in good shape to make the squad for the first time after the break. A debut looks closer than ever, though for obvious reasons it may still be a little while before he realistically challenges for a starting role. Potential return date: Leicester City (A) 24th October. Photo: Frank Reid
Pembélé spent much of last season recovering from a cruciate ligament injury and arrived on Wearside having not played any competitive football since March.
As such, he has been working on a bespoke fitness programme designed by Sunderland staff to help him build up to the point where he can join first-team training and begin to compete for regular minutes.
Pembélé is now in training and travelled with the side to Sheffield Wednesday last Friday, an indication that he is getting closer to a debut. For now, though, Mowbray has said that Sunderland feel he needs to further strengthen that previously-injured leg before being exposed to the rigours of Championship football.
With Trai Hume thriving, there is also no rush in terms of the needs of the team. Some minutes in the next block of fixtures seem likely, but it will be carefully managed and a starting role probably remains some way off. Potential return date: Norwich City (H) 28th October. 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. Photo: Frank Reid