Tony Mowbray has hinted that Ellis Simms could start for Sunderland at home to Cardiff City in the Championship this afternoon.

The Lowdown: Easing him back in...

Simms has come off the bench twice in the last two league games after injuring his toe, which kept him out for seven matches (Transfermarkt).

He last started in the 3-0 win away at Reading back in September, where he had to come off early because of his injury.

The Latest: Could start

Speaking to the media in his pre-game press conference ahead of today's clash, Mowbray has hinted (via The Chronicle) that 'there's a chance' that Simms could make his first start in two months against Cardiff, but admitted that the club are still taking precaution with him, so he could equally be left on the bench again:

"We are two games away from an international break and it's whether we feel a though we can risk - if that's the right word - a potential start for him. Games start at a much higher intensity, so it is more demanding than coming off the bench.

"It's whether he feels ready, whether we feel it is a gamble worth taking, because we've got a three-week break coming up by the end of which he will definitely have recovered and done the fitness work. I'll discuss it, but I haven't really made a decision over whether to start him as yet.

"There's a chance that he could start, but there's a chance he could be on the bench again because I like the idea of having a strong bench that can either see a game out or change a game. Let's see what team we pick and what potential changes to help change the course of the game go our way."

The Verdict: No need to risk it

With just a few fixtures left until the break for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, there is no need for the Stadium of Light outfit to risk rushing Simms back into the starting line-up, at the risk of potentially aggravating his injury.

They won 2-0 away at Huddersfield Town in the league last time out, where the Everton loanee only played 45 minutes, although did manage to grab himself an assist.

Simms did score three goals in his first two league matches for the Black Cats, so is always a useful weapon to have on the pitch, but if he is not fully fit, then Mowbray can always just bring him off the bench again.