JASON McAteer is set to end more than a year of injury misery by returning to boost Sunderland's promotion campaign.

The Sunderland captain, who has spent most of the last 14 months on the sidelines, is aiming to play for the reserves against Blackburn Rovers next Wednesday. McAteer, 32, has been unable to put together a consistent run of appearances since he underwent a double hernia operation in September 2002.

This season, he hurt his hamstring in the first game of the season at Nottingham Forest and then lasted just 34 minutes of his comeback fixture against Crystal Palace.

But he said: "I'm back in light training now, so the day when I can enjoy playing again is a bit nearer.

"Watching the lads for almost all of the season means that I'm very frustrated at not being able to be out on the park, but I know that I have to take my time.

"There's a few of the lads who are out injured at the moment, like Matty Piper and Thomas Butler, but we're all aiming to do our bit in the coming months."

Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy added: "Jason's not too far off and it will be good to have a player like him back in our squad."

Read more about Sunderland here.