Updates on Jack Clarke’s injuries and the most recent Sunderland team news are confirmed by Mike Dodds.

Although Jack Clarke will not be playing in Swansea City’s match at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon, Mike Dodds is still optimistic that the winger will be involved in the subsequent games.

Clarke’s ankle injury sustained during last week’s 2-1 loss to Birmingham City has prevented him from training this week, therefore tomorrow’s match will come too soon. A week later, the winger is still doubtful for the match against Norwich City, but Dodds feels it’s way too soon to rule him out of that and the subsequent games.

In addition, Dodds reaffirmed Leo Hjelde’s physical fitness in the face of rumors circulating on social media about a possible injury. Callum Styles will be playing for the first time, the temporary head coach also stated.

Dodds remarked, “The Jack Clarke one is an interesting one.”

“I only obtain information second- and third-hand and am not a major user of social media. Social media misleads me with incredibly false facts.

“Jack played 90 minutes and was clearly very comfortable despite rolling his ankle against Birmingham. He was supposed to take a few days off and train on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Since that hasn’t happened, I believe that the game tomorrow will likely come too soon for him. On Monday, we’ll evaluate our situation. I don’t think he will be absent for a month; I believe the news of his absence has been overblown.
“Callum has trained fully for the last two weeks and will be in the squad for tomorrow,” Dodds stated.
Although Dodds reports that the team’s longer-term absentees are making progress in their returns, Sunderland has no new injury concerns.

Jenson Seelt is expected to return to the team in his preferred center back role with Dan Ballard absent due to suspension.

“Pat [Roberts] is still a few weeks away, he’s not back out on the grass yet,” Dodds stated.

“Corry participated in our morning training. While he has been playing occasionally for the Under-21 team, I don’t want people to assume that he trained with us exclusively. Even though Corry’s training was very much bit-part, it’s still good to have someone of his caliber in the locker room and on the training field. Dacky and Aji were also absent. They participated in part-time training, working with us and the sports science department. The good news is that more people are coming back.

Jenson Seelt is expected to return to the team in his preferred center back role with Dan Ballard absent due to suspension.

“In my opinion, Jenson gave a really strong effort in Leeds. Dodds stated, “I called to change how we set up (at Bristol City), so Jenson was taken off the team.

He was more than at ease with it and is aware of the motivations behind it. In my opinion, Jenson is well-deserving of the chance to play a few games and establish himself as a member of the team and demonstrate his abilities. He is well-trained and aware of my opinions of him. I hope he can prove to everyone how good he is in the upcoming games.