Patrick Roberts is very likely to be available to face QPR next weekend.
That’s according to the Sunderland Echo, who have reported that the club are ‘very hopeful’ that the winger will have recovered from a minor hamstring injury.
Roberts had begun Sunderland’s season strongly after starting their opening three matches in the Championship, however he missed out on the 0-0 stalemate against Coventry City and their most recent 5-0 thrashing of Southampton due to an injury.
The 26-year-old now looks set to make his return as the Black Cats travel to Loftus Road after the international break, in what will be his first appearance since being heavily linked with a move to the Saints.
Sunderland fans were left concerned in the final days of the transfer window after Southampton lodged a £5 million bid for Roberts. It was believed that the attacker was also keen to join Ross Stewart on the south coast, however he ended up staying on Wearside.
Kristjaan Speakman has also now confirmed that the club have opened contract talks with Roberts, whose current deal is set to expire next summer.
Will Patrick Roberts start for Sunderland vs QPR?
While Roberts has often been one of the first names on the team-sheet under Tony Mowbray, it is unclear whether he will immediately return to the line-up.
Abdoullah Ba has taken his place on the wing in his absence and put on an exceptional performance last time out, picking up the assist for Sunderland’s second goal of the afternoon.
While the Frenchman really impressed at the Stadium of Light, he is far from the quality of Roberts and it would be a strange decision to keep him in after one strong display.
Sunderland will come up against a number of familiar faces in Jimmy Dunne, Jack Colback and Jake Clarke-Salter. The Black Cats enjoyed a 3-0 hammering on their last visit to Loftus Road in February, while they have only lost once in their last six meetings.