Sunderland attacker Watmore has been sidelined for more than a year.
Jack Ross has been quoted by Sunderland’s Twitter account as saying that Duncan Watmore will make his first-team return in less than a week after more than 12 months on the sidelines.
Watmore, 24, made his comeback from a second successive anterior cruciate ligament injury for Sunderland’s Under-23 side on Monday evening, managing an hour against local rivals Middlesbrough.
The attacker looked rusty and indeed missed a penalty, but it is a huge step in the right direction nonetheless as he steps up his recovery from the injury which last saw him play on November 18 in 2017.
Sunderland manager Ross told his press conference on Thursday that Watmore could be involved next Tuesday as the Black Cats take on League Two side Notts County in the Checkatrade Trophy.
“Monday was another big step for Duncan (Watmore). He had to withstand challenges and did well. He has since trained well, and could potentially be involved in the Checkatrade Trophy match against Notts County next Tuesday,” Ross said.
Watmore’s recovery even gained adulation from former Sunderland striker Jermaine Defoe, who took to Twitter to applaud England Under-21 international Watmore for his bravery and work in fighting back from the injury a second time.
The versatile forward is likely to miss Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Walsall at the Bescott, though, with Ross likely to place Watmore on the bench next Tuesday.
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