Sunderland vs Middlesbrough - Sunderland to check on injured duo ahead of test

Posted Friday, February 23, 2018 by PA

Sunderland boss Chris Coleman will make late checks on Adam Matthews and Ovie Ejaria ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship clash with Middlesbrough.

Full-back Matthews missed Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat at Bolton with a hamstring injury, but trained on Thursday and has a chance, while loan signing Ejaria has sat out the last two games with a thigh problem and remains a doubt.

However, defender Marc Wilson and winger Kazenga LuaLua are still out, while midfielder Darron Gibson is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a groin injury, but is still some way away from a return.

Coleman welcomed back Bryan Oviedo, Lamine Kone and Paddy McNair at the Macron Stadium, but saw his side slip to a fourth defeat in five games which left them at the foot of the table.

Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson is expected to return after missing his first minute of league football since February 2016 against Hull in midweek.

Gibson, who had been suffering from illness in the run-up to the game, was withdrawn after the warm-up at the Riverside and replaced by Dael Fry as his 85-game run came to an end, but he should be available for the short trip up the A19.

Striker Rudy Gestede, who scored twice in a 3-1 victory over the Tigers, limped off with an ankle injury which will be assessed ahead of kick-off.

Manager Tony Pulis otherwise has no fresh selection concerns, although full-back Fabio da Silva remains on the sidelines with a thigh problem.