Hiwula back in contention to face Black Cats after a five-game absence

COVENTRY City headed to the north east with a 20-man squad including the return of a fit-again striker.

The Sky Blues have played the last two games with just one fit and available centre-forward, Amadou Bakayoko, due to injuries and suspensions that have sidelined Matty Godden, Jordy Hiwula and Max Biamou.

But Hiwula, who has been out for a month with an ankle injury, missing the last five matches, returned to training this week to make the trip to the Stadium of Light.

“Jordy has been working so he’s travelling with us but I have a squad of 20 going up,” said City boss Mark Robins.

“I’ll do checks on people and make a final decision after that.”

Sam McCallum sat out last week’s League One victory over Rochdale with a muscle injury but the manager the highly-rated left-back/ wing-back has returned to training this week and will be involved.

“It’s looking a bit more healthy and it’s always nice to have more players to choose from and more that are pushing,” said Robins. “And then others will feel the heat from people behind them and that will hopefully kick them on.”

Skipper Liam Kelly is also back in the fold after missing last weekend with a sickness bug, while centrehalf Kyle McFadzean is expected to replace youngster Declan Drysdale in the back three after serving his one-match suspension.

“Liam’s trained this week,” said

Robins, who said that the sickness had struck others in the camp.

“Although Max Biamou is suspended this weekend he has been off with illness and a number of people with a sickness bug that has been going round. But hopefully we have overcome that.”

He added: “Kyle is available and last week we had a good performance from Declan.”