SUNDERLAND manager Mick McCarthy received mixed news on the injury front yesterday with the surprise return to training of Kevin Kyle tempered by Liam Lawrence's imminent ankle operation.

Lawrence will go under the knife on Monday after the club's doctors decided surgery was the only option to cure a long standing problem with the joint.

The return to outdoor duties for Kyle, however, is a much-needed boost for both club and player, with all hopes of the striker being back in action this season fading fast.

But McCarthy did admit it was still a case of fingers crossed the striker who has battled a hip complaint all season - and a further operation has yet to be ruled out.

He said: "He's (Kyle) pleased with himself that he's out with the group - with everybody else.

"He's just delighted to be out training. If he requires any more surgery then he's written off for the season but we're hoping that won't be necessary."

The club's medical team are constantly monitoring the Scotland international's progress and, over recent weeks, McCarthy admitted the 6ft 3in 23-year-old had been wrapped in cotton wool.

The club are hoping a slow return to full training after allowing the hip to settle may prove to be the best cure for the problem that has sidelined Kyle since August.

He picked up the injury in pre-season and, when an initial series of steroid injections did not work, he was operated on in September.

The surgery failed to remedy the condition and McCarthy said: "We've been waiting to have him looked at and see how he was because he was getting nowhere.

"So he's rested and done nothing. He's not going to get picked now, don't think that. He's taking things very gently but at least he's done something.

"Having done nothing for as long as he has now we're hoping it's not going to come back with avengeance.

"He's just taking things gradually and improving but we don't know how long that will be?

"We decided that it wouldn't do us any harm if he came back and trained so that's what we've done."

The report on Lawrence is less positive with the former Mansfield wide man facing a battle to return before the end of this campaign.

Lawrence has become a fans' favourite in his first season at the Stadium of Light, and three goals in his last his four starts before injury are further evidence that the 23-year-old is one of McCarthy's many astute signings.

"I feel for Lawrence because he's stepped up this season and he's had a few niggling injuries," said McCarthy. He had a problem with his ankle in the summer, then his knee and now his ankle again.

"We'll miss him. But he'll be back as soon as he gets it sorted out."

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