Sunderland brought an unlikely end to their run of four straight Premier League defeats with a fine goalless draw at high-flying Arsenal two weekends ago.

And Black Cats manager Steve Bruce hopes the club’s fortnight without a fixture, thanks to their early FA Cup exit, will give his squad a lift as a number of injured players look set to make their returns to first-team contention.

He said: “All of a sudden I can throw six or seven big players into the mix, instead of being down to the bare bones as we have been for two months.”

Striker Danny Wellbeck made his return from a two month absence with a torn cartilage in the draw at Arsenal.

 

The 20-year-old Manchester United loanee said: “Just to get back out on to the pitch is a big boost. I want to get more training sessions under my belt and hopefully I’ll be up to full match fitness.”

Black Cats keeper Craig Gordon has been told he will not require surgery on the knee injury which has kept him out of action since mid-February.

The 28-year-old saw a specialist in Sweden last week and was given an exercise regime to strengthen the knee.

Egyptian international defender Ahmed Elmohamady looks set to make his current loan move from Cairo club ENPPI permanent in the summer.

The Wearsiders have the option to make the 23-year-old’s move permanent at the end of his year-long loan spell.

Sunderland host sixth-placed Liverpool in the EPL this Sunday lunchtime.