Sunderland face Southampton this weekend before taking on Newcastle United next week.
Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce says forward Jeremain Lens is not ready to feature against Southampton but will be available to face North East rivals Newcastle United next week, Shields Gazette report.
The big money summer signing has missed the last five matches after undergoing surgery on a groin injury sustained in the 1-0 home defeat to Manchester City at the beginning of February.
Lens remains sidelined with internal bruising from the operation but will be ready for his side’s key encounter with relegation rivals Newcastle at St. James’ Park the following weekend.
“He is not ready for this weekend. He has had a little bit of a problem with a haematoma where the arthroscope went in, but we think the operation is done and dusted now and he will be OK for the Newcastle game,” Allardyce confirmed.
Next week’s clash with the Magpies has all the hallmarks of a classic and will be arguably the most important fixture between the two in years, with their respective Premier League status in question.
The North East duo are desperate for points and Swansea City’s recent run of good form suggests that arguably one, or not both, will end up suffering relegation to the Championship this season.
Lens has the potential to be a big player in the run-in for the Wearside club, though thus far he has not made the impact first expected of him with just two goals and two assists in 18 Premier League appearances.
The 28-year-old is undoubtedly more of a threat upfront rather than in wide areas, yet Allardyce needs to find the right balance with Fabio Borini and top scorer Jermain Defoe also potential striker options.
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