Sunderland have been without a number of players due to injury throughout this season, but things are looking up for the Black Cats.
It makes it all the more impressive that Regis Le Bris has managed to keep Sunderland in the promotion race this season given the fact he has had to do so without a handful of first-team players.
Just last week, Chris Mepham suffered an injury, but the defender is fit and ready to go again when Sunderland take on Derby County in midweek.
And, to add to the good news, the Black Cats can expect another three players to return from injury in the next week.
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Jenson Seelt and Ian Poveda will play for Sunderland Under-21s this week
Speaking to the press (via the Sunderland Echo), the Sunderland manager provided an update on three of the club’s long-term injuries, with Jenson Seelt and Ian Poveda set to get minutes under their belt on Wednesday night.
Le Bris said: “Jenson is training fully with us now and will play the first part of the game against Benfica in the U21s on Wednesday evening. Ian should also play against Benfica.”
Poveda was one of the biggest summer signings for Sunderland, but has made just three appearances for the first-team this season, racking up only 44 minutes. Meanwhile, Seelt has not featured since March of last year after undergoing knee surgery.
There is also positive news on the horizon for another new signing, Alan Browne, who needs just a little more time. Le Bris added: “With Browney, he needs one week more before he can join us in full training.”
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How will returning players impact Sunderland’s transfer plans?
Sunderland want to strengthen in January, with Le Bris particularly looking at bringing in a new striker as a priority.
However, with these three players coming back from injury, and Tommy Watson and Romaine Mundle also close to a return, the Sunderland squad is set to look really strong very soon.
It will be really interesting to see just how ambitious Sunderland are this month as they look to secure promotion, or whether the Black Cats will play it a little safer now they have so many players on the comeback trail.
Surely, it would make sense to double down and back Le Bris with whatever he needs, as there is no telling whether this shot at promotion will come again.