Sunderland’s longest serving player Lynden Gooch continues to work his way back up to full fitness with a return to action earmarked for after the World Cup break.
Gooch has been out of action since the 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic but will step up his recovery this week at the Academy of Light.
His rehabilitation will continue when the Lads travel to a warm-weather training camp at the back end of November.
“In another couple of weeks, hopefully I will be back training in Dubai with the squad” he told SAFC Live.
“It’s frustrating, I want to play every game. Hopefully in another couple of weeks.
“I am looking to get back out onto the grass some time this week. If it all goes to plan then I should be fit for after the break.”
With the domestic calendar coming to a halt for three weeks, it offers an opportune time for Gooch and others to return to full fitness. Gooch continued: “It gives us the chance to get a lot of lads fit.
“Myself, Ross (Stewart), Dan Ballard, Aji (Alese), and Edouard (Michut) as well so there is quite a few of us. Hopefully we can all be fit after the break and make the squad really strong.”
Before the Lads head to Dubai, their final game before the break comes this Friday when they make the trip to Birmingham City in the Sky Bet Championship.
Tony Mowbray’s side currently sit in 13th place in the table as they approach the halfway mark in the season. After a strong start following promotion back to the second tier, the Black Cats will be hoping to kick on for the second half of the season.
The 26-year-old added: “I think we are in a really good position. I think this season we have shown we can compete with every single in the division.
“Obviously we would have liked to have picked up a few more points here and there. A couple of draws at home that finished 0-0 where on another day you might win 1-0.
“The biggest thing we’ve been missing on the pitch is having them players in between the sticks that want to score goals. For me playing at the back, not having a focal point at times is tough. You end up having to pass backwards and start again.
“I think we have dealt with it really well. Players have come up with goals all over the pitch.”