Sunderland manager Lee Johnson has revealed that all three of Ross Stewart, Tom Flanagan and Aiden McGeady should be fit enough to be in contention for their play-off semi-final against Lincoln City.

The Black Cats are gearing up for the biggest game of their campaign as they travel to Lincoln City aiming to take a positive result back to the second leg at the Stadium of Light. Coming into the play-offs there has been doubt over the fitness of Stewart, with the forward having been suffering with a thigh injury that saw him miss out on the final day draw against Northampton Town.

There have also been doubts over the fitness of defender Flanagan for a while now with him having been out of action since March with a foot injury. While the Black Cats’ star-man McGeady has also been a doubt as well due to struggling with a bruised foot during the last few weeks of the campaign. He was left out of the win at Plymouth Argyle as a result, but returned against Northampton.

Speaking to Chronicle Live, Johnson revealed that Stewart could be alright to be included against Lincoln alongside Flanagan as well, while he also insisted that McGeady has completely recovered from his issue and he will be available to feature against Lincoln.

He said: "We had an internal game against our U23s last week, and Ross wasn't involved in that.

"But we are going to have a look at him over the next couple of days.

"We think he is OK, and certainly if he gets through the final test he will be ready to start if we need him to.

"Tom has trained, but whether we throw him straight back in is something we have to consider.

"Flanno is a top character, a top lad, and he seems like he is in good nick.

"Aiden is absolutely fine, there are no issues with him."

The verdict

This is excellent news for Sunderland and means that they should have three important members of their squad back available for the biggest game of their season against Lincoln in the play-off semi-finals. Having Stewart back could be a major boost because the Black Cats are going to need more of a goal threat up front and this could be his chance to really arrive as a big player at the club.

Flanagan is someone that the Black Cats have missed for the last few months whilst he has been out injured and having him back and available will offer Johnson more options to chose from in his defence. That is something that could be important especially for the second leg depending on the kind of result that Sunderland get at Lincoln.

While having McGeady ready for the Lincoln game is huge because he is Sunderland’s star man when it comes to creating chances and building play in the final third. He can be a real game-changer and come up with those match altering moments that other players in the squad can not really offer. Lincoln will be nervous to see him featuring if he is fully fit and firing.