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Sunderland duo Lamine Kone and Didier Ndong are both back in training after injuries - although it is only expected to hasten their exits, rather than boost Chris Coleman’s first team options.

The pair both want out of Sunderland this month, with interest in both from Premier League sides.

Their sales should give Coleman a little boost to his available January spends, although he’s already admitted it will only be a little chunk of whatever they should receive.

With the pair being struggling Sunderland’s most realistic sellable assets, it’s unlikely the Black Cats boss will risk them in Saturday’s trip to Cardiff City despite his squad’s depleted numbers.

Coleman told the club website: “We were always going to be extremely light going to Middlesbrough. It was always going to be a tough task for us.

“We have had one or two back training - Lamine Kone was back training on Tuesday but he has been out for eight weeks and hasn’t had any type of football so there is absolutely no chance of him being involved at the weekend.

“Didier Ndong trained but again, he has had no football in the last couple of weeks.

“That is why those players reinjure themselves because they have had no football, maybe they have had 45 minutes with the under-23s and obviously if you are out longer than a 90 minute and a 60-minute run out before they come to us.

(Image: Sunderland AFC)

“But because needs must they have been rushed back to come straight back to the first team and then the physical level is just too much for them. A lot of times they reinjure.”

Coleman will be boosted by the availability of new loan signing Jake Clarke-Salter, who arrived from Chelsea on Monday, while Adam Matthews should also be fit.

After recently undergoing shoulder surgery, Jonny Williams is closing in on a return also.

Coleman continued: “Some good news is that Jonny Williams is probably another week or so away before he can start joining in. That is really good news.

“Adam Matthews trained today and trained well which is another plus.

“I don’t think we will be as bad as we were last weekend in terms of numbers and we will improve with Jake coming in from Chelsea.”