Jack Ross was pleased to welcome Max Power back into his side on Saturday evening against European side Belenenses.
The midfielder, who has endured a frustrating summer after he limped off in the opening minutes of last season’s Play-Off Final with an ankle injury, made his return to action ahead of schedule on Sunderland’s pre-season tour of Portugal.
Speaking to safc.com about Power’s situation, Ross admitted his return comes as a real boost as it looked at one stage that he might not be back for the start of the new campaign against Oxford United.
“He’s been at me because he has done a bit of work over here,” he said.
“I was concerned because he was ahead of schedule and it was the type of injury that he had that you could never be too sure of.
“He trained well and hard on Saturday morning and we thought from that he could play a little part in the game.
“It was important getting him on the pitch for 20 minutes as he is probably two or three weeks ahead of schedule so that’s a real boost for us.”
