ROSS Stewart has taken a big forward step in his recovery from serious injury, with the striker now back on the training pitches.

Stewart is still working one-on-one with the physio and won't be ready to return for the start of the Championship season, but Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray is delighted with the progress his star striker is making.

The 26-year-old has been sidelined since suffering a serious Achilles injury against Fulham back in January.

"I've seen Ross out on the training ground with the physio, with his trainers on at the minute doing very light stuff but actually back on the grass which is really exciting and positive," said Mowbray.

With Stewart still sidelined, as things stand summer signing Hemir is the only recognised striker on Sunderland's books - with a new frontman the priority in the remaining weeks of the summer transfer window.

While Stewart won't be ready for the start of the season, Elliot Embleton is closing in on a return to full training, though Sunderland have opted to let him continue his fitness work at the club's training base rather than join the squad for this week's trip to the Unied States. Dennis Cirkin is also making good progress and is expected to be fit for the end of this month. Both Embleton and Cirkin have had ankle injuries.

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The Championship opener against Ipswich will come too soon for Aji Alese, however, who had surgery in May on the thigh injury that troubled him throughout last season. Captain Corry Evans is still some way off being ready to return as he works his way back from an ACL injury suffered against Middlesbrough in January.

"Embleton isn't far away, probably the last week of pre-season he'll get back joining in but is not coming on this trip," said Mowbray.

"He might as well stay at home and work with the physios we're leaving behind and get more work done.

"Corry Evans is a fair bit away so he's on his plan and will keep going with that. Alese is going to bite into the season, I think. Cirkin I would hope isn't too far away. I would hope he'll be involved in the last couple of pre-season games."