Sunderland have been handed a boost after Tony Mowbray confirmed that Ross Stewart is in contention for the Championship game vs West Bromwich Albion on Monday night.

The Lowdown: Injury concerns

The Black Cats continued their impressive start to the season with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Millwall last weekend and will be hoping to collect another three points when the Baggies visit the Stadium of Light.

The Scottish international missed the previous encounter having been out of action since sustaining an injury earlier in the campaign, though the boss has now provided a positive fitness update.

The Latest: Stewart fitness update

Speaking to Sunderland’s official website, Mowbray confirmed that Stewart is likely to be available to face West Brom.

“There was no pressure to play him [on Saturday], but what’s important is the factor of trust in the medical department, and my relationship with Ross.

“The medical department thought it was too dangerous a risk to play Ross at the weekend.

“If he’d started or come off the bench and then had to go back off the pitch again because he was limping, you’d say we got that wrong.”

“For me, Ross should train for a whole week and there are nine days between the Millwall and West Brom games, when he’ll be training a lot.

“We have a behind-closed-doors game with Middlesbrough which he could play some part in – he’s chomping at the bit to get back out there.

The Verdict: Boost for Mowbray

Sunderland having Stewart available for selection again will come as a huge boost to Mowbray, who will be aware of the prolific impact he has in the final third.

The 6 foot 1 talisman clocked up eight goal contributions in seven outings prior to his absence, alongside averaging 4.1 aerial wins and 3.9 shots per game (WhoScored).

Such form has seen him dubbed a ‘real threat’ by journalist Josh Bunting, and the Black Cats boss will be hoping that he can maintain this level of performance upon his return to action.