Sunderland return to action tomorrow afternoon as they they take the longest trip in the EFL all the way down to Plymouth.
Sunderland travel south off the back of a run of three games unbeaten, though they have failed to win on the road since taking on Sheffield Wednesday in September.
Tony Mowbray’s side will take on Plymouth Argyle, who currently sit only five points above the relegation zone.
The Pilgrims have managed only one win in their last eight games in the Championship, but will be eager to bounce back after a two-week break.
Despite being away from club action since the win over Birmingham City, Sunderland are still without a total of seven players going into the game at Home Park Stadium, while Plymouth are without two players as a further three return.
Here is the latest injury news ahead of Plymouth v Sunderland…
Plymouth Argyle (two ruled out, three available)
Mustapha Bundu – fit
Mustapha Bundu will be back available for Plymouth after suffering a hamstring injury during their 3-2 loss against Ipswich Town a month ago.
The forward has scored once in seven appearances since joining from Anderlecht in the summer.
Brendan Galloway – fit
Brendan Galloway could reunite with his former team this weekend after returning to training following a long-term hamstring injury. The defender has been out of action since April.
Galloway joined Plymouth in 2021, three years after a disastrous loan spell with Sunderland.
Mickel Miller – available
Mickel Miller returns for Plymouth after serving a one-match suspension.
The 27-year-old has started five games in the Championship this season.
Ryan Hardie – out
Plymouth will be without Ryan Hardie, who also suffered a hamstring injury against Ipswich.
The forward scored six goals and picked up three assists in 14 games before he was sidelined.
Saxon Earley – out
Saxon Earley is yet to recover from an ankle ligament operation that has kept him out since August.
Sunderland (seven ruled out, one doubt)
Luke O’Nien – available
Luke O’Nien missed out on Sunderland’s win over Birmingham as he served a one-match suspension.
The defender is likely to take his place back in the starting line-up this weekend.
Dan Ballard – doubt
Dan Ballard picked up a hamstring injury while on international duty with Northern Ireland, missing out on their win over Denmark.
However, Tony Mowbray has confirmed he trained yesterday and we will have to wait and see whether he is fully fit to start against Plymouth.
Dennis Cirkin – out
Dennis Cirkin picked up another hamstring injury in the warm-up ahead of the match against Birmingham and was quickly replaced by Nectarios Triantis on the team-sheet.
The full-back hasn’t been in training and could be out for a ‘few weeks’.
Aji Alese – out
Aji Alese has only made one appearance since March after picking up a thigh problem.
Tony Mowbray has confirmed that the defender is back training and will feature for the U21s before he returns to the senior team.
Timothee Pembele – out
We are yet to see Timothee Pembele in action following his move from PSG in the summer.
Tony Mowbray said in yesterday’s press conference that the Frenchman had been on the grass and is ‘not too far away’.
Jewison Bennette – out
Jewison Bennette had spent the international break with Costa Rica before he returned with illness. The winger has been ordered to rest this weekend.
Bennette has largely featured for the U21s this season and only has nine minutes of senior football under his belt.
Jay Matete (out)
Jay Matete will be unable to come up against his former club this weekend, with the midfielder still sidelined after sustaining a knee injury in pre-season.
He is expected to be back in action very soon.
Elliot Embleton (out)
Elliot Embleton returned from his loan spell with Derby County early after suffering a thigh injury in September.
The midfielder won’t return to action until the new year.
Chris Rigg (out)
Chris Rigg has returned to Wearside following England U17’s brief World Cup campaign in Indonesia.
This weekend’s trip to Plymouth will come too soon for the teenager, who could make his return against Huddersfield Town.