Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson has given a positive injury update on striker Charlie Wyke and defender Bailey Wright as reported by the Sunderland Echo.
Wright joined the Black Cats on loan from Championship outfit Bristol City in January and made a big impression at the heart of the Sunderland defence. Parkinson’s men kept four clean sheets in his five appearances before he picked up an unfortunate injury towards the end of their 1-0 win at promotion rivals Oxford United on February 15th.
The initial prognosis was eight to twelve weeks out. However, the enforced layoff due to the coronavirus outbreak means the twenty-seven-year-old could be fit to return should the EFL insist clubs complete the season, even if that means matches being played deep into the summer.
The break has also allowed Charlie Wyke to work on his persistent back problem which limited his game time before the campaign ground to a halt.
Speaking to the Echo Parkinson said: ‘Pete Brand (physiotherapist) is working with the injured players – Bailey Wright has been doing work individually and is progressing well.’
‘Charlie Wyke has been able to do work for his back problem; he had another injection in that.’
Parkinson also added he was confident his squad would maintain their fitness during an unprecedented situation: ‘We just have to make sure that all the lads are doing the right work, and they are all good professionals who will keep themselves in the best shape possible.’
‘Following the new Government guidelines, they are still able to go out to exercise once per day, so they can go for a run or a bike ride or whatever.’
‘We just have to make sure that when we are able to come back, we have done as much as we possibly can in the circumstances.’
Wright is on loan until the end of the season, but his contract runs out with the Robins in the summer, and the expectation is he will leave Ashton Gate.
Wyke’s scored six goals in thirty appearances across all competitions this season and eleven goals in total since joining from Bradford City from an undisclosed fee in 2018.
Our View
One of the benefits of the break is all clubs will have many previously injured players ready to play when and if the season restarts.
The return of Wright, in particular, will be a massive boost to Parkinson’s efforts to get the Wearsiders promoted.
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