Sunderland team and injury latest with potential return dates ahead of Watford clash - gallery
By Phil Smith
Published 2nd Oct 2023, 10:18 BST
Sunderland returned to winning ways in some style against Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night and will be looking to keep the momentum rolling when Watford visit the Stadium of Light this week.
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 Wednesday and who is likely facing a longer absence? Here we run you through all you need to know...
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.
To begin with he will almost certainly be used as cover on the substitute bench, but his height and versatility will mean Mowbray will relish the chance to get him in the squad. Potential return date: Stoke City (A) 21st October. Photo: Frank Reid
Mayenda has been recovering from a hamstring problem picked up in his first training session but joined Aji Alese in full training last week, a significant step in his comeback.
Like Alese, he will likely play in U21s fixtures over the next few weeks before being introduced after the international break. Mowbray has high hopes for Mayenda as he believes he can be an explosive player and bring something different to his side, but with his attacking depth improving rapidly he is under no pressure to expose the youngster before he is ready. Potential return date: Stoke City (A) 21st 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 on 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