TOMMY WATSON will return to the Sunderland squad for Saturday’s home game with Cardiff City, but Ian Poveda’s latest injury setback is set to keep him on the sidelines for around a month.
Watson has been sidelined since mid-December after suffering a combination of ankle and knee injuries during a challenge in the home draw with Bristol City.
The winger has taken part in full training all week, and is expected to be on the substitutes’ bench for this weekend’s game with Cardiff as Sunderland look to keep up the pressure on the three teams currently above them in the table.
“Tommy should be with us this weekend, yeah,” confirmed Regis Le Bris, who is nevertheless expected to retain Romaine Mundle in his starting line-up.
While Watson has completed his return to full fitness, Poveda is facing yet another lengthy absence after suffering a setback in training prior to last Friday’s win at Sheffield Wednesday.
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The winger was withdrawn from the squad at Hillsborough, and subsequent scans have revealed an issue that will keep him on the sidelines until at least the end of the forthcoming international break.
Poveda has only made five substitute appearances since joining Sunderland as a free agent in the summer, with his time on Wearside having been punctuated by a succession of injury problems.
“We will have to wait for him (Poveda),” said Le Bris. “I don't know exactly what the timeframe will be for his return to play, but it might be three to four weeks.
“It's frustrating because we know he is talented as a winger, he has the ability to dribble and create something from nothing in short spaces. So far, he wasn't available for many reasons.”
Enzo Le Fee and Dan Ballard remain sidelined with long-term hamstring issues, but the former has made good early progress with his recovery and is on track for a possible return in Sunderland’s first game after the international break, which will see them host Millwall on March 29.
“So far, they are on track in their recovery,” said Le Bris. “Enzo should probably be available after the international break, more or less, with Dan it will be a little bit longer.”
