CHARLIE Wyke misses out on a return to Valley Parade tomorrow – and he is also struggling to face his old club in the Boxing Day return.

Wyke remains sidelined with knee ligament damage and could be out of action up to Christmas.

It has been a frustrating start for the striker following his summer move from City. He suffered an injury on the same knee during a pre-season friendly against Sheffield United – his final appearance at Valley Parade.

Their rivals may not have too much sympathy but Sunderland boss Jack Ross has had his selection issues so far.

Glenn Loovens, Denver Hume and Lynden Gooch were all injured at Coventry last week – with left back Hume facing a six-week absence.

Costa Rica international Bryan Oviedo took his place in the midweek draw with Peterborough – and then got sent off. He sits out tomorrow as the first of his three-game ban.

Lee Cattermole is available after suspension and skipper George Honeyman will be fine to play following a concussion in training, which meant he was not allowed to face the Posh.

The blow at losing Wyke for a lengthy period has been off-set by the sensational start to the season from 19-year-old Josh Maja.

The EFL young player of the month for September has scored eight already.

League One’s title favourites have been pegged by a run of draws. They have won only once in six to drop to fourth – four points off the automatic promotion places.

But Ross is not concerned by the table at this early stage.

He said: “It doesn’t matter, it only matters at the end of the season.

“We’ve had challenges all season and we have been so resilient in meeting them.

“We are getting better. We’re still not there but we are getting better all the time.

“The players are responding to what we do and the belief within them is starting to grow.

“We’re in a decent position and I believe we’ll be in a better position come the end of the season.”