Ahead-of-schedule Gibson gives Coleman welcome boost

Darron Gibson could return ahead of schedule to help Sunderland’s relegation fight.

Midfielder Gibson (pictured) had found his best form in a Sunderland shirt under Chris Coleman, but he suffered a groin injury in the 1-0 defeat to Barnsley on New Year’s Day.

He was expected to be out for 12 weeks, but the 30-yearold has taken part in some light training this week.

Coleman will be thrilled to welcome back a player who can offer his side a different dimension on the ball.

He said yesterday: “Darron Gibson is well ahead of schedule. He did some training with the physio today and a bit of head tennis, which got him twisting and turning. He looks good, so that is a plus.

“We were looking at probably a 12-week injury, he is only at five or six weeks now, but if he can get back two or three weeks ahead of schedule, it will help, bearing in mind he was playing very well for us.

“At one point, we were without Darwere ron, we without Catts (Lee Catter- mole), and we didn’t really have any hold- ing midfielders.

“If we can get him back before the end of the season, he is someone we can use, that’s for sure. “What we have gained with Catts is someone who breaks up play. “Gibbo is more of a dictator in the sense that he can come and receive the ball in one part of the pitch and then reverse the play.

“He can get you from defending to attacking in one quick switch, and that was working very, very well until he was taken away from us.

“If you’re a wing-back or an ultra-attacking winger, he can find you with one quick pass.”

Coleman will be without Kazenga LuaLua again for tomorrow’s visit of Middlesbrough, while Ovie Ejaria is a doubt and on-loan Boro striker Ashley Fletcher is ineligible against his parent club.

Full-back Adam Matthews could return, depending on how his hamstring responds to an intense training session on Thursday.

Coleman said: “Adam Matthews had a real tough session and I’m hoping he doesn’t react badly. We’ll see how he is.

“Ovie is a big doubt unfortunately, and LuaLua is a no. He has a good chance for next weekend.”