Two huge boosts and one setback: Michael Beale issues Sunderland injury update ahead of Huddersfield Town

Corry Evans is set to take a major step forward in his comeback from an ACL injury by training with Sunderland's U21s this week.

Evans has not featured since the 2-0 win over Middlesbrough last January but has been back running at the Academy of Light and is now ready to rejoin some of his team mates in training. While his first-team comeback clearly remains a way off given the severity of his injury, it's a major boost for the club to have one of their most experienced campaigners back around the group in the weeks ahead.

There's a further boost for head coach Michael Beale, with deadline-day addition Callum Styles set for his first full training session on Tuesday.

"Some good news, Corry Evans is back on the grass now but is going to do a couple of days with the under-21s group to phase him back in," Beale said.

"Callum Styles will rejoin the group today for his first session. The game tomorrow will be too early for him but he may be in contention for the weekend."

Beale did confirm that Elliot Embleton has suffered a minor setback in his recovery. Embleton was due to return in the U21 side on Friday night but after that game was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch, he then suffered an ankle injury in training the following day.

It shouldn't lead to an extended absence but is clearly frustrating for the player as he bids to make an impact on the play-off push.

"He rolled his ankle a bit yesterday so is going to miss a couple of days.

"The plan was for him to play this weekend with the second team but that might get pushed back. It's just one of these things, the game is harsh sometimes. You are just getting ready for your first game back and then it gets called off, then the very next session you roll your ankle."

With Styles unlikely to feature until the weekend, Beale looks highly likely to name an unchanged squad for the trip to Huddersfield Town on Wednesday night.