Lee Johnson has delivered the latest team news update ahead of Sunderland’s trip to Portsmouth this weekend.
The Head Coach firstly discussed Denver Hume’s progress, with the full-back playing an hour in the Under-23s’ win at Wolves on Monday – also updating supporters on Arbenit Xhemajli’s eagerly awaited return.
“Denver is moving well and always moves well – the coach’s eye would suggest that he’s very nearly ready.
“He has a possibility for next Tuesday at Lincoln – it could be a chance to look to start him and withdraw him at some point in the game.
“Arby is one we’re still erring on the side of caution with – we have two Under-23 home games after the next away game and I’ll discuss the potential opportunity with the U23 coaches and physios about Arby featuring for some minutes in those games.”
Nathan Broadhead was withdrawn in the latter stages of Tuesday’s win over Cheltenham Town – and Johnson faces an anxious wait on the scale of the hamstring issue the forward sustained.
“The good news is that Nathan has felt better having slept on it, and he will have a scan before the Portsmouth game.
“He was really frustrated having to come off after playing so well on the night – he performed magnificently.
“The reality of the issue is that it could be anywhere between two and six weeks if there is muscle damage.”