Sunderland have a big couple of months on the horizon as they look to win promotion, whilst Jack Ross’ side also have a date with Wembley for the Checkatrade Trophy final before the end of the month.  

So, when it was confirmed by Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill yesterday that Will Grigg was heading back to the Stadium of Light because of injury, hearts will have been in mouths.

Ross’ side aren’t in action over the international break because of call-ups, but the Chronicle Live report how they are sweating on the fitness of Grigg ahead of Wembley and the run-in.

Grigg’s ankle appears to have been troubling him for some time, with O’Neill stating it was ‘unrealistic’ to expect him to be able to feature during March’s international break.

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For Grigg, he will be praying that this is a short-term setback and he’s fit for the run-in, and firstly, Wembley.

It hasn’t been the most prolific starts to life at the Stadium of Light, but Grigg has two League One goals and a Checkatrade Trophy goal, which helped Sunderland secure what will be a memorable day out at Wembley.

The 27-year-old is going to want to build on that and really make a name for himself in the North East.

Previous years haven’t been good watching, and whoever leads Sunderland’s charge back up the Football League will go on to become a hero at the Stadium of Light.

Grigg will want to be that man, with the Northern Irishman having the added pressure of a £4m price-tag after Sunderland went big to sign him in January.

Arguably these are the biggest months of Sunderland’s recent history, with Wembley bringing back memories of better times, whilst promotion is a must.

Grigg is going to want to overcome this setback and play a key role.