Tony Mowbray offers encouraging injury update on key Sunderland man | OneFootball

Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray has revealed that striker Ross Stewart is closing in on a return to action.

Stewart’s prolific form in front of goal was key to the Black Cats’ League One promotion last season, and he had started life in the Championship in similarly impressive fashion during the current campaign.

The 26-year-old five goals in seven league games in the early stages of the season, but has not made an appearance since the end of August.

Now however, it seems as though the striker is moving in the right direction in his bid to return to full fitness, judging by these latest comments from Mowbray.

Providing an update on Stewart and fellow long-term injury absentee, centre back Dan Ballard, the Sunderland boss was quoted by The Chronicle as saying: “We have some more longer-term injuries in Dan Ballard and Ross Stewart – they’re not far away, they’re on the grass and training with their boots on, just not in with the team all the time at the moment but they wont be too far away.

“I said weeks ago it’s going to exciting if and when we get a fully-fit squad and everyone to choose from. I think we’ve got plenty of positives and and options against the different teams we play to be able to give them different types of problems.”

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Sunderland are currently 15th in the Championship table, four points clear of the relegation zone, and are set to return to action in a week’s time, when they host Millwall at The Stadium of Light.

The Verdict

This will no doubt be a big relief for those of a Sunderland persuasion.

A lack of goals has been a major problem for the Black Cats during the recent absence of Stewart and his fellow centre forward Ellis Simms due to injury, which has made it hard for them to pick up results.

Having a major threat in the final third such as Stewart back in contention will therefore be a major boost for Mowbray’s side, given their position in the second-tier is still far from secure as things stand.

You feel therefore, that Sunderland need to get things right here, in terms of finding the balance between giving him the time to make an impact, and ensuring they do not rush him back too soon to risk another injury.