Sunderland winger Duncan Watmore endured a second long-term knee injury last season.
Sunderland have an impressive squad for League One this season, but a number of injuries are stopping Jack Ross from having a full-strength side.
The Black Cats have key players in Charlie Wyke, Glenn Loovens and Denver Hume absent, but fans on Wearside are most desperate to see the return of 24-year-old Duncan Watmore.
Ross will also be keen to see the wide player back in his side and in an interview with the Sunderland Echo, the Scot revealed Watmore is getting closer to a return to the first team.
When asked about Watmore’s return, Ross said: “Watmore has had a week of training, he has done everything but it is too soon for him at the moment.
“One thing when I first came in here, he was one of the first players I met in the summer, I get on well with him we had good chats and we continue to do that.”
Ross also said that Watmore was ‘getting ever closer’ to a potential place in Sunderland’s Under-23 side to aid his comeback to the first-team.
The Manchester-born player has been terribly unfortunate with injury, with back-to-back long-term knee injuries over two seasons with Sunderland.
And when Watmore does return to the side, many of the Sunderland faithful are tipping him to be a revelation in the third tier, with his ability to run at defenders and excellent work-rate.
Although, as keen as Ross will be to see Watmore back in the team, the former Curzon Ashton man must not be rushed as another injury to what is clearly a week knee would be potentially career ending.
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