McNair to step up comeback against Everton

Paddy McNair will get a further run-out for Sunderland Under-23s this week as he looks to step up his comeback from a serious knee injury.

McNair, who hasn’t featured for the first team since rupturing his cruciate ligament last November, is set to face Everton at the Toffees’ Finch Farm training base in Premier League 2 tomorrow (2pm).

The 22-year-old (pictured) suffered a setback in July which meant he missed the start of the season, but the Northern Ireland international is closing in on a welcome first-team return and will get further minutes, having featured against Hertha Berlin and Arsenal for the Under-23s over the past week.

Boss Simon Grayson has also confirmed that striker Josh Maja, who made his comeback from a knee injury in Monday’s PL2 defeat at Arsenal, will also feature against Everton. It means the pair will almost certainly not be involved in the first-team squad at Brentford the following day. Grayson said: “Josh was one of the shining stars of pre-season with his goals, work-rate and quality.

“It was a big blow when we didn’t have him, coupled with some other strikers being out the first month.

“It is nice to have him back and good to see Paddy get 45 minutes on Monday as well.

“Both will be involved on Friday and both will be hopefully ready for the first team very soon.”

Grayson’s options, especially up front, have been boosted with the return of Duncan Watmore and Lewis Grabban to first-team action.

On Watmore, Grayson said: “Duncan is a versatile player. He is quick, carries the ball, has a fantastic work rate – it is great to have him back.

“We still have to manage him – there are certain days he doesn’t train with the group. We have to make sure the load on his knee isn’t too much.

“It is nice to have him back available and great to have him back in the group. He will only get better, fitter, stronger as the games go by.”