Embleton on brink of Cats return as Parky drops selection hints

Elliot Embleton could make his return to Sunderland action this afternoon.

The talented youngster has not played a competitive game since last September due to injury, but will be included in the matchdaysquadwhenSunderland take on Mansfield Town in the first round of the FA Cup today.

"Elliot will be involved in the squad and if everything goes OK, he'll start against Fleetwood on Tuesday," Phil Parkinson said.

“We're just feeling Elliot into it gradually. He's had a 45-minute appearance and a 60-minute appearance for the U23s. He's trained really well this week and so he will be in the next two squads.”

Parkinson is set to shuffle his pack considerably for the game, with four senior players being rested as they recover from minor injuries.

That means Jack Diamond and Dan Neil, two of the most highly-rated players in the Sunderland academy, will join Embleton in the squad.

“Luke O’Nien opened his medial ligament and probably did well to finish the game against Ipswich," Parkinson said. "It's not serious, but will certainly keep him out of the next two games.

“Denver has had a problem with his knee for a few weeks, there's been some swelling on it. He missed the game at Swindon and he's done well to carry on with it since then. He's had a scan on it this week and it's fine, but he's going to have an

Sunderland youngster Elliot Embleton is on the brink of a first-team return.

injection over the weekend to let it settle down. We've been nursing him through [so he'll sit this one out].

“Gooch towards the end of the Ipswich game struck a ball and felt his groin tighten up. It doesn't look serious but will certainly rule him out of the next two,” Parkinson added.

“JoshScowenhashadaconcussion, which we means we have a protocol to follow. He'll

come back into the building on Monday when we will assess him again.”

Hume’s injury likely means a debut for Callum McFadzean, who was brought in as a free agent shortly after the transfer window shut.

Shortongametime,though, his integration will have to be carefully managed.

Dion Sanderson is also available for both games and is therefore likely to have a key role as Jordan Willis manages a patella tendon problem.

“Callum is in the squad," Parkinson said.

“It is early for him, he had 45 minutes for the U23s against Aston Villa. We're conscious that he's only had a couple of weeks training but he arrived in very good condition.

“Nick Allamby [Head of S p o r t s S c i e n c e ] wa s ve r y pleased with his conditioning, so he'll be in the squad.”

Parkinson also hinted that he will rest Charlie Wyke at some stage in the next two games, handing big opportunities to Will Grigg and Danny Graham.

“A i d e n O' B r i e n p l aye d against Gillingham, Will and Danny obviously haven't started for a while," Parkinson said.

“But they've made contributions in the way that they've trained and the professionalism that they've shown and show all the time.

“D a n ny h a s c o m e o f f the bench and affected the last couple of games as well. They're good players and it's a two-fold thing for us. We want to give some youngsters a chance, while making sure that thefirst-teamplayerswhohave been patient get their chance.”