Simon Grayson was delighted to welcome back Lewis Grabban on Saturday against Queens Park Rangers.
The on-loan striker, 29, came off the bench at half-time to make his return from a hamstring injury that had sidelined him since the Black Cats’ defeat at home to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday 13 September.
Grabban led the line for the Grayson’s team in the second 45 alongside Duncan Watmore, who was making his first start in 10 months, and went closest when he combined with the Roadrunner only for Alex Smithies to turn his near post drive around the post.
Speaking to safc.com, the Black Cats boss praised the duo’s return and admitted their quality is vital if they are to build on their back-to-back draws against Preston North End and Queens Park Rangers.
“Lewis has been out for four or five weeks now so it is great to have him back,” he said.
“It was 75 minutes for Duncan which is great for everybody and himself as well - he is only going to get better.
“There were one or two niggles that we had to contend with before the game and during it. That didn’t allow me to make the substitutions a little bit earlier because I had to be careful with one or two other defenders who were carrying the odd knock or two.
“We showed some good character because we did not bury our head in the sand and accept defeat.
“We have got back on it so let’s hope we can keep building off the two results we have had in terms of the draws when we go into the Brentford game next week.”
