UNITED States captain Claudio Reyna looks set to make a rapid recovery from his hamstring injury and hopes to be back in the Sunderland midfield for next Saturday's formidable test at Chelsea.
Reyna, who has adjusted to the faster pace of Premiership football following his £4.5m move from Glasgow Rangers, was forced to limp out of the 2-1 defeat at Tottenham last week and a lengthy absence was expected.
But after missing the midweek home victory over Bolton Wanderers, which eased relegation worries on Wearside, Reyna has revealed that his injury is not as serious as first feared.
He said: "It's better than I thought. It's just a strain and I feel a lot better now.
"The Chelsea game is a possibility and I'm keeping my fingers crossed."
Sunderland, knocked out of the FA Cup by quarter-finalists West Brom, are again left without a game today and the break gives the list of injured players, which includes England international Gavin McCann, an extra week to recuperate.
McCann, who has been troubled by a knee ligament injury, and midfielder Paul Thirlwell (ankle), could return to competitive action in Sunderland's reserve game against Aston Villa at New Ferens Park on Monday night.
Reyna said: "This break has come at the right time because there are a few of us trying to recover from injuries.
"I'm hoping to start training with the rest of the lads next week and put myself back into contention for the game at Chelsea."
He added: "It will be a hard game at Stamford Bridge but we will be confident.
"It was a massive win against Bolton and now we need a couple more so we can relax a bit and enjoy the remainder of the season.
"There are still a lot of points to play for and things are tight but a couple of wins could shoot us up the table."
Sunderland, who will be trying to repeat last season's surprise 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge, will go into the game without the services of Tuesday night's match-winner, Jason McAteer.
He is suspended for one game after picking up five cautions before the end of last month.
But the return of Reyna and McCann would be an important boost as Peter Reid's men face four more trips to London in their last five away matches.
The other is to Leeds early next month.
l The form of Scotland Under-21 striker Kevin Kyle, who scored twice in Sunderland Reserves' 3-1 win over Leeds United in midweek, is again attracting the attention of clubs north of the Border.
Kyle was wanted on loan earlier in the season by third-placed Scottish Premiership club Livingston, but manager Peter Reid decided against farming out the 20-year-old.
But that Cameroon international Patrick Mboma seems to be settling in well following his temporary transfer from Italian Serie A club Parma.
Reid might well decide that Kyle, who has scored six goals in the second string this season, would benefit from regular first team football elsewhere.
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