SUNDERLAND are hoping Dan Ballard and Eliezer Mayenda will be available to return over the course of the next two matches.

Having returned to the top of the Championship table when they won at Hull City yesterday, the Black Cats are set for a busy few days with Wednesday’s trip to Luton Town preceding a Saturday home game with Oxford United.

Neither Ballard nor Mayenda were involved in the weekend win at the MKM Stadium, but Regis Le Bris is hoping the pair could be available at some stage over the course of the next two matches.

Ballard has been sidelined after damaging his ankle in the latter stages of last month’s defeat at Plymouth, and could face a battle to regain his place in the starting side given the impressive way in which Chris Mepham has slotted into the heart of the back four in his absence.

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Mayenda’s last appearance came in last month’s win over Middlesbrough, with a muscular issue having kept him on the sidelines.

Like Ballard, he faces a fight to regain his place in the starting line-up, with Wilson Isidor having scored three goals in the last four games.

“We will have to see with these two players (Mayenda and Ballard),” said Le Bris, when asked about the possibility of players returning for the games against Luton and Oxford.

“It is possible they could be back to play some part (in the next two games), but we need to wait and see how they are looking. We will have to wait and see, and then make a decision.”