Sunderland boss Jack Ross is hopeful that key midfielder Dylan McGeouch will be fit for the Black Cats opener against Charlton next week despite going off injured in their final pre-season friendly.

The Scotland international was replaced midway through the first-half of the clash against Middlesbrough last night, that was abandoned at half-time after torrential rain.

However, Ross played down fears about the 25-year old's injury, although admitted he will have to be assessed in the coming days.

"He had a tightness in his calf. "He had a similar injury towards the end of the St Mirren game but in the other one. He missed a couple of days training this week," he told the Sunderland Echo.

"We’ll have to see how he is over the next couple of days but generally he looks after his body really well these days. Hopefully it’ll settle down and we’ll have him available [for Charlton] because he’s been influential."

The technically gifted midfielder joined on a free from Hibs this summer in what was a real coup for the Wearside club.

The Verdict

Clearly it wasn't a serious injury for McGeouch last night although the next few days will be crucial in seeing if he will play next week.

As the manager says, he is a very influential player for the Black Cats and someone Ross will want to build the side around.

So, he will be hoping that McGeouch can train with his teammates this week so he's ready for the Charlton game.

Thoughts, Sunderland fans? Let us know in the comments below.