Another week’s recovery time predicted for Cattermole
LEE Cattermole will sit out Sunderland’s cup double-header but is expected to return for the league game against Wycombe Wanderers. The influential m i d f i e l d e r missed the Black Cats’ trip to Plymouth with a foot problem which had been hampering him in recent weeks, and manager Jack Ross says Cattermole will not figure in tomorrow’s FA Cup firstround tie at Port Vale or in the Checkatrade Trophy game at Morecambe on Tuesday.
But Cattermole is due to resume training next week and is likely to be back in contention when Wycombe visit the Stadium of Light next Saturday.
“He should hopefully be fit for the Wycombe game,” said Ross. The plan is for him to begin training next week. “He has had a little issue with his foot but it has started to settle down. He did a bit out on the grass today, and I haven’t had a chance to speak to him or to the physio as yet.
“But he is due to train next week and, all being well, he would then be back in the squad for the Wycombe game.” Dylan McGeouch and George Honeyman played as the holding midfielders at Plymouth but Ross may take the opportunity this weekend to give gametime to players such as Luke O’Nien, who has made an impact from the bench recently, and Max Power who is available again after serving a fourmatch suspension. Teenager Bali Mumba could also start at Vale Park.
Ross also confirmed that Bryan Oviedo and Denver Hume are back in training after the former missed the Plymouth game due to a calf problem, while the latter limped out of the draw at Coventry at the end of September with a knee injury.
Duncan Watmore also played 25 minutes of a friendly game in midweek as he nears a first-team return after a year out of action with cruciate ligament damage.
Ross said of Sunderland’s injury problems: “It’s been an interesting season in that respect. I think only for the Coventry game have I said that we were almost at it in terms of having a near-full squad available.
“But Lee will be back next week, Max is available now after suspensions, Bryan trained today, Denver trained today, Duncan’s progress has been very good, so we are getting there.”
One player who still has a way to go before he is ready to return to the squad is Ethan Robson, who is still suffering the effects of an ankle injury picked up a month ago.
Ross said: ““It’s frustrating for him but he just has to be patient. Generally he feels good, but when he tries twisting and turning there isn’t enough stability in the ankle. He should be ready [to return] around Christmas.”
He should hopefully be fit for the Wycombe game. The plan is for him to begin training next week