Sunderland could welcome back four first team stars for Saturday's clash with MK Dons.

The Black Cats have been without Denver Hume, Lynden Gooch, Josh Scowen and Luke O'Nien in recent matches with all four being out of action since the victory over Ipswich Town at the start of the month.

However all four players have trained ahead of the weekend's contest at the Stadium Of Light, giving Phil Parkinson some welcome decisions to make.

Callum McFadzean is set to miss the MK Dons game, while Tom Flanagan and Conor McLaughlin will also not be involved as they continue to represent Northern Ireland during the international break.

The hope is that the weekend can see the Black Cats continue a strong start to the season.

Parkinson's side have won six of their opening 10 fixtures so far putting them in sixth place in League One going into the weekend.

With Saturday's opponents sitting in 19th place in the league, the hope from supporters is that the Wearsiders can't secure something of a routine victory to enhance their promotion hopes as we move towards the festive period.

The Verdict

This will be a major boost for Phil Parkinson.

To lose four players as influential as Denver Hume, Lynden Gooch, Josh Scowen and Luke O'Nien is a massive blow and he'll be delighted to get them back.

Having lost twice in the last week, Sunderland need to get back to winning ways and the hope is that by having the quartet back in action they may just be able to do that against a struggling MK Dons side.