When Sunderland go to Middlesbrough this weekend, winger Patrick Roberts is expected to make his return.
Patrick Roberts will return to Sunderland’s lineup to face former side Middlesbrough on Sunday, providing a significant injury boost.
Roberts has been sidelined since injured his calf in the 1-1 draw with Rotherham last month, but he is back in full training and, barring any setbacks, will be part of the squad that goes to the Riverside.
New signings. Romaine Mundle and Leo Hjelde are also available, with the latter having a strong chance of starting.
“Patrick Roberts will be involved as long as he comes through training on Saturday, so he’s ahead of schedule,” head coach Michael Beale stated on Friday.
“It’s vital that we respect that as well, but Paddy is in good shape and ready to go. Leo and Romaine are both prepared to travel.
“Leo is slightly in front of Romaine in terms of the minutes he’s played this season but they’re both ready to come straight into the squad this weekend.”
Callum Styles will not make his Sunderland debut versus Middlesbrough.
The midfielder was the Black Cats’ third and final January signing, but he is still recovering from appendix surgery and will be out for a few weeks.
“We had an agreement on Callum, but he had to go for surgery,” said sporting director Kristjaan Speakman. “It was a relatively minor treatment nowadays, and the medical professionals clearly did an excellent job.
“He simply needs to get himself back on his feet, and he should be back on the field in the next 10 to fourteen days, ready for selection.
“That was certainly our decision to make. Do you stick to it or go with someone else? But we believed it was the appropriate decision to skip the next game or two in order to have him for the remainder of the season.”
