Watmore’s back in firstteam squad

Marc Wilson misses Sunderland’s trip to Preston North End today with a groin injury.

But Duncan Watmore is closing in on a return to the first-team duties.

Watmore (pictured), who has been out for nine months, is expected to be in the travelling squad, having not been involved in last night’s Under-23s cup game against Brighton.

Boss Simon Grayson was giving little away regarding Watmore’s involvement, only to confirm he will feature for the Under-23 side against Doncaster Rovers in Tuesday’s Checkatrade Trophy group tie.

On Watmore, Grayson said: “He will probably be left for Tuesdayand then the Under-23 game against Hertha Berlin (October 10) after that. He has trained all week – we will see what happens.

“Ipswich (Sunderland’s 5-2 midweek defeat) was probably going to be too early – he played on the Sunday for the Under-23s and he has a plan where he can’t do too much after a heavy load on his knee, whether it is a game or a training session.

“He has a specific plan and he has stuck to that and not missed a training session. We will keep analysing on a daily basis.”

Wilson, meanwhile, came off six minutes into the second half at Ipswich and Grayson has confirmed that he is out tomorrow.

Other central defensive options available include recalling Tyias Browning or handing John O’Shea his first Championship start of the season alongside Lamine Kone.