Speaking to Sunderland’s official website, Chris Coleman has confirmed that Lamine Kone and Didier Ndong have returned to first-team training, although the duo are unlikely to be involved this coming weekend.  

Sunderland have a lengthy injury list at this current time, and were bare to the bones for Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Middlesbrough. However, Coleman has lifted the mood by confirming that Kone and Ndong are back in training, after their respective lay-offs.

Kone has been absent since late October, with Coleman not yet able to call on the defender during his time as manager at the Stadium of Light.

Likewise, Ndong has struggled for football in recent weeks, with the 23-year-old missing the festive period and last weekend’s defeat to Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.

Coleman issued an update on the duo, confirming they were back in training, but playing down their chance of involvement in this weekend’s clash with Cardiff City, he said: “We have had one or two back training - Lamine Kone was back training on Tuesday but he has been out for eight weeks and hasn’t had any type of football so there is absolutely no chance of him being involved at the weekend.

“Didier Ndong trained but again, he has had no football in the last couple of weeks.”

Sunderland head to the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, sitting bottom of the Sky Bet Championship table, facing the possibility of another fight against relegation this season.

The Black Cats have picked up just four victories from their opening 26 fixtures of the season, with things not getting any easier against this weekend’s opponents, Cardiff, who are looking to move back into the automatic promotion places.

The Verdict  

This is a boost for Sunderland and Coleman, as numbers were thin at the Stadium of Light last weekend.

Of course, it doesn’t sound like Kone or Ndong will be featuring against Cardiff, but their pending return will give Coleman a lift heading into late January.

This is exactly the type of pick-up Sunderland needed after their FA Cup defeat.

Sunderland fans… Let us know your thoughts!