Paddy McNair is back in training and he could return to action as early as next week, Simon Grayson has revealed.
The Northern Ireland international suffered a season-ending knee injury last November, but after nine months on the sidelines he’s resumed training and tipped to feature against Hertha Berlin next week.
Like Watmore, he’s been a big miss for the Black Cats, and he looks set to follow in the footsteps of the winger by featuring for the club’s under-23s before returning to the first-team fold.
“Paddy is back training with us now,” Grayson told the media.
“It might be that he’s pencilled in for some part against Hertha Berlin and it would be a nice boost for us.”
He continued: “I see him as a good addition to the squad in many different positions.
“Paddy will be the first to admit that he sees himself as a midfield player and he will be a good player in there because of his height, his strength and energy.
“That is what we need.”