CHARLIE WYKE is ahead of schedule, but will not be back for Sunderland this weekend.

The former Bradford striker has had a difficult time with injury since moving for £1m in the summer and is recovering from a knee injury.

He is still a few weeks away from a return so will not face Wycombe on Saturday but manager Jack Ross has admitted he could be back for Christmas – and there are no other fresh concerns with other members of the squad.

Ross said: “It’s healthy, we have a couple of long terms still recovering with Charlie and Duncan Watmore. They are working towards full fitness. But it’s as you were last weekend.

“Charlie has been back on the pitch, doing some work with the physios. He is still a few weeks away from being fit, but originally we thought Christmas time he would be back, so he is ahead of schedule.

"There’s no rush to get him back because we have been managing to do OK.”

Sunderland are looking to make it nine wins in a row against Wycombe and Ross is delighted with his team’s form.

He said: “Our form over the season has been relatively good, defeat in the league is satisfactory and has given us a good platform for the remainder of the season.

“It’s no surprise to me, I have had faith, but when you go on a consecutive number of victories, although they have been spread over three competitions, it is testament about how the players feel about themselves at the minute. We want that to continue.”