The German midfielder has missed the opening three Premier League games through injury.
Jan Kirchhoff is set to return from his spell on the sidelines in Sunderland’s Checkatrade Trophy clash with Rochdale.
The giant German has yet to feature at all this season, having been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
The 25-year-old played a key role in Sunderland’s survival last season, and the defensive midfielder’s absence has proved to be a huge loss for David Moyes.
However, the Scot has been handed a boost with Sunderland confirming on Instagram that the former Bayern Munich man is back and will feature in the Under 23’s match against Rochdale.
Fitness was a big problem for Kirchhoff during the first six months of his career on Wearside, often failing to play 90 minutes. Alas, he proved to be a key figure, providing the perfect shield in front of the Sunderland defence.
Sunderland fans would never expected Kirchhoff to be such an important player after his catastrophic debut against Tottenham, where he played centre back.
The Checkatrade Trophy match with Rochdale could also see Didier Ndong make his first Sunderland appearance, having arrived for a club-record fee from Lorient on transfer deadline day.
With the Gabon midfielder set to make his debut, and Kirchhoff returning from injury, things could start to look more positive for Sunderland and David Moyes.
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