PATRICK ROBERTS is back in contention for Sunderland’s Wear-Tees derby with Middlesbrough after recovering from a calf injury.
Roberts hobbled off during December’s draw at Rotherham, and has missed more than a month of action.
He has been back in full training this week though, and is set to return to the squad at the Riverside on Sunday lunchtime.
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Sunderland head coach Michael Beale said: “Patrick Roberts will be involved as long as he comes through training tomorrow, so he's ahead of schedule.
“It’s important that we respect that as well but if you ask Paddy, he's fit and ready to go.”
Leo Hjelde and Romaine Mundle are also expected to feature in Sunday’s squad, having joined Sunderland this month from Leeds United and Standard Liege respectively.
Callum Styles will not be involved at the weekend though as he is recovering from an emergency appendix operation at the end of last month.
Beale said: “Leo and Romaine are both ready to go. Leo is slightly in front of Romaine in terms of the minutes he's played this season but they're both ready to come straight into the squad this weekend.”
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