Cats striker Wyke could be involved at Gillingham

Charlie Wyke is in contention to feature for Sunderland this weekend after making a successful return to training this week.

Wyke has missed the vast majority of Phil Parkinson’s tenure so far, picked to lead the line for his first game against Wycombe Wanderers before picking up an ankle problem that forced him off at half-time.

Sunderland have struggled in front of goal since then, with the 26-year-old expected to form a key part of the new manager’ s plans when he returns.

Wyke returned to training on Tuesday, with Park ins onset to make a decision later in the week as to whether the striker is ready to be part of his match day squad.

The Black Cats travel to Gillingham this weekend for a crunch League One clash, having fallen considerably off the promotion pace with a desperately poor run of results.

Parkinson could also be able to call upon MarcMcNul ty.

The Reading loanee has struggled throughout the season with a ham string problem.

Parkinson sent the striker for a scan before the break, which came back clear and suggested the problem was coming from his back, something the club are confident they can manage.

“Charlie and Marc came through their first training session yesterday without any problems, which is really good news. We'll monitor them between now and the weekend but unless there are any issues, they should be involved in some way at Gillingham.”

Lynden Gooch remains a key absentee for Parkinson as he continues his comeback from an ankle problem picked up in the 5-0 win over Tranmere Rovers in October.

*Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Roman Pavlyuchenko has revealed how he missed out on moves to Sunderland and Liverpool-thanks to Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.

The Russian was keen for a temporary move away from White Hart Lane ahead of Euro 2012, with the Black Cats and Merseysiders interested. But Levy snubbed the chance to loan the front man to a Premier League rival, and insisted that Pavlyuchenko headed abroad.

Pavlyuchenko said: “There was talk that Sunderland wanted to loan me, Liverpool loan. He told me that he won’t let me go anywhere in England, because he sees this as a strengthening of the team .”