Sunderland are preparing for their Championship fixture against Cardiff on Sunday – with multiple players still sidelined with injuries.
The Black Cats beat Blackburn 3-1 last time out, meaning they have won their last three league games in the Championship.
Sunderland will then travel to Sheffield Wednesday next week, with head coach Tony Mowbray hoping to welcome back some of his injured players.
Here’s the latest Black Cats injury and team news – and when players could return.
1. Nazariy Rusyn - has received his visa
Rusyn will be available to make his Sunderland debut against Cardiff this weekend after receiving his visa. Mowbray has said it may take some time for the 24-year-old to adapt to a new league in a new country. Potential return game: Cardiff (H), Sun 24 Sep. Photo: Catherine Ivill
2. Jewison Bennette - illness
Bennette didn't travel with the Sunderland squad to Blackburn due to illness and hasn't been training with the squad ahead of Sunday's match against Cardiff. Potential return game: Sheffield Wednesday (A), Fri 29 Sep. Photo: Frank Reid
3. Bradley Dack - hamstring
Dack missed Sunderland's wins over QPR and Blackburn with a minor hamstring issue but did travel with the squad to Ewood Park. "We've made the call to take him out of the situation for two or three weeks and let him fully recover, do his rehab and he'll be back fine," said Mowbray earlier this week. Potential return game: Sheffield Wednesday (A), Fri 29 Sep. Photo: Frank Reid
4. Pierre Ekwah - thigh
The midfielder was forced off with a dead leg during last weekend’s win over QPR and missed Wednesday’s match at Blackburn. While the injury isn’t thought to be serious, Mowbray said this week Ekwah’s thigh was ‘quite swollen’ meaning he’s unavailable for this weekend’s game against Cardiff. Potential return game: Sheffield Wednesday (A), Fri 29 Sep. Photo: Frank Reid