Patrick Roberts is set to start for Sunderland against QPR this weekend.
That’s according to The Northern Echo, who have reported that the winger will feature for the first time since picking up an injury against Rotherham United.
Patrick Roberts started all three of Sunderland’s opening matches and is still waiting to get off the mark, but looked very sharp before he was sidelined with a hamstring problem.
The 26-year-old has used the international break to get back to full fitness and Tony Mowbray has confirmed that he has been back in full training, with the report expecting him to replace Abdoullah Ba in the line-up.
Speaking on Roberts in his pre-match press conference, Mowbray said: “He’s been training the last few days and he looks fine. You know my thoughts on Patrick – he’s a special footballer.”
Ba has taken Roberts’ place out wide while he has been in the treatment room, despite the Frenchman playing primarily in the middle last season.
The youngster took fans by surprise with his brilliant performance as the Black Cats thrashed Southampton last time out, picking up his first assist of the campaign.
Despite his display, he is likely to return to the bench as Roberts takes back his spot on the right.
Patrick Roberts is one of the first names on the team-sheet
A busy transfer deadline day on Wearside has left Mowbray with a number of options in his frontline, signing Mason Burstow, Nazariy Rusyn and Adil Aouchiche in the window’s final hours.
Speaking on his squad selection for their trip to the English capital, the manager said: “Mason (Burtsow) will be coming, Naz (Nazariy Rusyn) too – although whether he is involved depends on whether he gets his visa in time. Adil (Aouchiche) will come with the group, but it’s a bit soon for Timmy (Timothee Pembele).
“It’s good to have all these players and I’ve got some dilemmas. I’m going to take 22 or 21 players so some are going to get left out of the matchday squad, but it’s good to have those dilemmas.
“They’re not problems, really. As long as the players understand the logic of why you select a team and you communicate with them, I think they understand.”