REGIS LE BRIS has admitted he does not know when Jayden Danns will be available to make his Sunderland debut, but is hoping the situation will become clearer in the next couple of weeks.
Danns was in the process of joining Sunderland from Liverpool on deadline day when his medical revealed an issue with his back. He returned to Merseyside for treatment, with both clubs opting to continue with the loan agreement on the understanding that the teenage forward will link up with the Black Cats squad once the injury problem is resolved.
At this stage, it is unclear when that might be, with Liverpool’s medical staff leading the treatment and rehabilitation process. Sunderland officials will remain in regular contact with their counterparts at Anfield, with Le Bris anticipating that a potential timescale for Danns’ recovery will become apparent in the next few weeks.
“We don't know at the moment with Jayden,” said the Sunderland boss. “We probably have to take it week by week.
“He's still a very young player and it's fair to say that we have to protect this player. So, we will work with Liverpool to find the right moment to bring him into the side.”
While Danns is unlikely to be part of the first-team equation at Sunderland in the immediate future, Alan Browne is set to return to the squad for this weekend’s home game with Watford, with Romaine Mundle and Tommy Watson also closing in on a first-team return.
Browne suffered a minor fracture in his leg in November, but has been passed fit to return to first-team training this week.
Mundle has also been sidelined since November, having suffered a serious hamstring issue, but the winger should be back in training before the weekend. Watson is a little bit further behind in his recovery from a combination of knee and ankle issues, but having remained on Wearside when Sunderland rejected a number of deadline-day bids from Brighton, the teenager should be back in the fold before the end of the month.
“Browney is available now, he is taking part in full training,” confirmed Le Bris. “Romaine should be involved (in training) by the end of the week, probably. Tommy should be around by the end of next week. Jenson (Seelt) is ready to play, so we have many players available.”
