'Brighter news' - Mike Dodds gives positive Sunderland injury update

Sunderland will be missing three key key players against Swansea, but head coach Mike Dodds says there is 'brighter news' about others.

Mike Dodds says there is ‘brighter news’ coming on the Sunderland injury front as he takes his side into the Swansea game without three key players.

Jack Clarke is out with an ankle injury, joining fellow winger Patrick Roberts on the sidelines, and Dan Ballard starts a two-match suspension against the Swans, meaning Sunderland are looking a little light again.

However, Dodds has confirmed that social media rumours of an injury to Leo Hjelde are false and the Norwegian will be available this weekend, and January recruit Callum Styles will be in the squad too.

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Aji Alese and Bradley Dack are also back in training and even Corry Evans was joining in with first team training this week.

Dodds, though, did urge caution with the Evans news, suggesting he’s not really close to a return.

“Corry trained with us this morning,” said Dodds. “He’s been doing bits with the Under-21s, although when I say he trained with us.

“I don’t want people to get carried away with that. It was very much bit-part training, but it’s still welcome news to see someone of Corry’s calibre in the dressing room out on the training pitch.

“Aji and Dacky were out as well. They part-trained, doing a bit with the sports science department and a bit with us. There is some brighter news in terms of people returning.”

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