Ross Stewart could be involved in Sunderland's weekend game against Millwall - but boss Tony Mowbray admits it would be a 'gamble' and will not make a final decision until after tomorrow's training session. Scotland international striker Stewart has been out of action with a thigh injury since the end of August but has made a good recovery and travelled out with the Sunderland squad last week for their warm-weather training camp in Dubai during the World Cup break.
The Black Cats' five-goal top scorer then took part in his first full training session today, which is another major step in the right direction. But Mowbray must now decide whether to involve him on Saturday lunchtime at the Stadium of Light, almost certainly by naming him amongst the subs, or to give him a full week's training and target West Brom's visit to Wearside a week on Monday.
"Ross Stewart mixed it up a bit over there [in Dubai], training a bit on his own and a bit with the team," Mowbray said. "He did the warm-ups, the passing drills, and a bit of possession, but he didn't really get involved in the high-intensity stuff.
READ MORE: Sunderland's Bailey Wright suffers family tragedy in wake of Australia's World Cup joy
"Today was the first day that he has joined in the whole session with the whole team and came through it smiling and laughing - i had to take him off the shooting at the end because he wanted to do a bit extra! It suggests he is champing at the bit and is ready to go.
"We need to have a discussion after training tomorrow. I guess in his mind he is ready, I think. In my mind he has been out a long time and whether we risk him after one day's training, whether we need to risk him off the back of a win where both strikers scored, when after this weekend's game we have nine whole days until the next game, I'm not so sure.
"Maybe it makes more sense to give him a full week's training to get his mind ready that there is nothing wrong with him and everything is fine. It feels to me like we might be gambling putting him on the bench [on Saturday], yet if he is adamant that he wants to be on the bench so he can come on if we need a goal and make an impact, we might do that."
With on-loan Everton striker Ellis Simms having returned to action before the World Cup break, there is less pressure on Mowbray to rush Stewart back into the side. While there remains a questionmark over Stewart's availability, Mowbray will at least be able to call upon defenders Lynden Gooch and Aji Alese who have both recovered from the foot injuries that ruled them out prior to the break.
Mowbray said: "They are looking good. Gooch was back in training from Day One of the trip to Dubai, and Aji is also back and training again, so he will be available."
Centre-back Dan Ballard has been missing since August with a broken foot but is making good progress and Mowbray hopes the ex-Arsenal man will be ready to return to training next week. He said: "Dan didn't train with us [in Dubai] but he was over there, doing his individual stuff.
"He looks hugely impressive when he was doing box-to-box strideouts, he is a real powerhouse, but he's just not ready yet. We ask the physio every day and Dan is getting closer, and hopefully next week he will be back in training.
"We'll then have to assess how we are doing and whether we are keeping clean sheets, but he will obviously bring good competition to the defensive side of our team."
READ NEXT:
- Sunderland star seals World Cup progression after Australia see off Denmark
- Kyril Louis-Dreyfus' long-term Sunderland vision laid bare with clear plan to build for the future
- Sunderland's recent FA Cup record is a disgrace and, as the 1973 anniversary approaches, it matters
- Millwall boss Gary Rowett reveals fresh injury blow ahead of Sunderland clash
- Sunderland could lose key man in January as Premier League giants weigh up options
