Jack Ross hopes to have Chris Maguire available for selection when Sunderland travel to Accrington Stanley this weekend.
The forward last featured for the Lads in their 4-2 win over Barnsley at the Stadium of Light, but he returned to training on Thursday.
Lee Cattermole has also resumed training, but the midfielder isn’t expected to feature at the Wham Stadium and is likely to make his return a few days later in the Black Cats’ Emirates FA Cup replay against Walsall.
Ahead of this weekend's League One action, the Sunderland manager provided the latest news from within the camp.
"Chris Maguire has trained today and should be okay,” said Ross.
“Lee Cattermole has trained a couple of days this week, so all being well he will be back in the squad for the Walsall game, as he’s obviously been out for about a month now.”
He continued: “I’m really pleased with how he’s looked in training, and he feels good as well.
“Tuesday was Duncan’s first game back, so we’re getting there but we still have Ethan Robson, Donald Love and Denver Hume out.
“We’re probably getting close to being the healthiest we have all season.”