Vito Mannone is hoping to make a swift return to action after upping his recovery from elbow surgery.
The Italian stopper was ruled out of action in August after suffering the injury at the end of a training session, with Jordan Pickford stepping into the team before earning a first senior call-up with England.
But despite the disappointment of missing out following a positive pre-season, Mannone is feeling good and is progressing well as he chases down full fitness and a return to action.
“I’m already ahead of schedule and it’s not as bad as we expected at the beginning," said the 28-year-old. “I’m feeling really strong and I’m starting to go out and put more strength on my arm.
“Hopefully this will increase by each day and by the time I’ve got more power – we’re only going on the reaction of the arm, hopefully it is positive – I can be out there to help my team.”
He added: “It’s the luckiest injury you can get because as soon as I’d had my operation the surgeon told me to work on my flexibility, strength and power.
"I’m possibly at the stage where I’ve got the best outcome I could so far which is very positive, and hopefully I can step it up in the next few weeks.”
The stopper also reflected on happenings on the pitch with Sunderland heading to Stoke City on Saturday as both sides continue to search for a first league win.
“It’s been frustrating because I’m very passionate about my football and my team so watching from the stands isn’t easy – I’m kind of a fan but also a player so not being able to help is frustrating – and we expected something different from the results.
“We understand the frustration of the fans and when I’m sitting next to them it’s easier to understand, but all I can say is that there’s been a lot of work in the training pitch and the manager has been trying to help the team get the results.”
He added: “We will pull our sleeves up and work, and hopefully the win will come.”
