Wyke will return a better player – Ross

Charlie Wyke should return to Sunderland action this month, and Jack Ross says fans will see a ‘different player’.

Wyke is back in full training after picking up a knee injury in a nasty collision with Burton Albion goalkeeper Dimitar Evtimov.

That was back in September, the last time the Black Cats lost a game. W yke arrived at the club carrying a knee injury, and while Ross says rushing the striker back did not contribute to his second blow, he did feel it was too soon for the 26-year-old to make a real impact.

Wyke scored just minutes into his Sunderland debut against Oxford United, but looked off the pace in subsequent outings.

Ross thinks it will be a different story this time around.

“I would hope by the end of month he would be there or thereabouts in terms of being available for the squad,” Ross said.

“I take my responsibility for rushing him the first time, not in relation to the re-injury because that was completely separate.

“Just the levels he was at, I think we asked a lot of him too quickly.

“Whereas this time we’ve been a bit more patient, he feels a lot better physically and mentally.

“He looks a lot sharper and if we can do that for another couple of weeks, when he comes back he’ll be an asset for us.

“It’s been challenging for him,” Ross added.

“A couple of things have been clear from it.

“One is that he’s desperate to do well here. He’s a good character, he’s quite a strong character, positive.

“He’s taken the blows of the two injuries really well in terms of saying, ‘OK I’m going to get through and I still believe I can contribute to the season’.

“I’ve certainly seen that from him. “Then, on the training p i tc h , I’ve spoken about that psychological impact, he definitely thinks he’s going to come back and be at it this time.

“As I said, I take my responsibility for rushhim ing back too quickly.” Ross will be eager to take the patient approach with Wyke, and in his absence the 19-year-old Josh Maja has continued to defy all expectations with his sensational scoring form.

Jerome Sinclair has also impressed his manager, even if the goals have not been so easy to come by for the Watford loanee.

Wyke, however, will unquestionably add a welcome dimension to the Sunderland side.

His Football League record reflects a proven goalscorer and he can also add some bulk to a side that Ross admits regularly gives up height and physicality to the opposition.

Wyke signed a three-year deal after arriving in the summer, a clear sign of the esteem in which Ross and the Sunderland hierarchy hold the player.

It may take time for him to capture his best form but it is another reason why Ross expects a quiet January window.