Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray has confirmed that Aji Alese and Eliezer Mayenda have returned to training, but they will need to participate in Under-21s games to regain their fitness.
Alese appeared 21 times for Sunderland last season, but his season was cut short due to a thigh injury, and the centre-back has yet to play a single match this season as he works his way back to fitness.
Sunderland bought Mayenda from Sochaux in the summer to remedy their goal-scoring difficulties, but the striker suffered a hamstring injury during a training session, keeping him out of play so far this season.
Mowbray said that both players have returned to training, but that they will not be eligible for selection against Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Both will need to play Under-21s games to regain match fitness and sharpness, according to the Sunderland manager.
“What pleases me is that Aji has returned to training and Eliezer Mayenda has returned to training,” Mowbray stated at a press conference.
“They are obviously not ready and need to play some 21s games.”
On Saturday, Sunderland will host Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough, who are unbeaten in their last five games.
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