Cats boss explains when Hume and Xhemajli will take next steps in return

Arbenit Xhemajli could make his Sunderland return next month.

The Kosovan defender suffered a major knee injury shortly after joining the club last summer, but has now been in full training for around a fortnight and is making encouraging progress.

Sunderland are eager not to push the 23-year-old back into action too quickly, but Lee Johnson believes that the visit of Leeds United U 23 sin the PremierLeague Cup on October 11, could be a realistic target.

Elliott Dickman’s side then welcome Newcastle United Unders-23s to the Stadium of Light a week later in the league.

“Arby we’re just erring on the side of caution,” Johnson said.

“There’s two home U23 games after this next one, and if all goes well from now until then, I’ll speak to the U23 coaches and possibly make a re come nd at ion that we get him some minutes in those games .”

Denver Hume made his comeback from a hamstring injury in the U23s on Monday, playing 60 minutes as the Black Cats beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-1 thanks to a superb hat-trick from Will Harris.

Johnson says the left back came through that game unscathed, and the 23-year-old remains on track to make his first-team return in the Papa John’s Trophy next week.

“Denver is moving well, he always moves well and in my opinion, he’ s very nearly ready ,” Johnson said.

“We’re possibly looking at starting him in the Papa John’s Trophy game at Lincoln City next Tuesday, and then potentially withdraw him at some stage during the game.”

*Will Grigg’s time on Wearside has been as saddening as it has been underwhelming with the Northern Irishman finding the back of the net just eight times since his arrival in January 2019.

The 30-year-old spent the second half of last season out on-loan with MK Dons where he rekindled some of that goal scoring spirit with eight goals in 20 appearances before securing another loan deal this season with League One rivals Rotherham United.

And at the fifth time of asking, Grigg grabbed his first league goal for the Millers to open the scoring for Paul Warne’s side as they too ran out comfortable winners over AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night. Grigg and his Rotherham side moved up to fifth in the League One table with their 3-0 success over the Dons and are just five points behind the Black Cats.