Jobe Bellingham is fit to return to Sunderland's team for Wednesday's home game with Luton Town after recovering from an ankle injury.
The knock kept him out of Saturday's 2-2 draw at home to Watford as the Black Cats lost ground in the promotion race.
The midfielder, 19, has missed four Championship games this season and Sunderland have not won any of them, drawing all four.
But with him available and wingers Romaine Mundle and Tommy Watson close to a return, head coach Regis Le Bris is thankful for the extra numbers as the season enters the final third.