JACK ROSS is hoping Charlie Wyke will be able to make his Sunderland debut in the home game with Oxford United a week on Saturday.

Wyke was suffering from a knee injury when he completed his £1m transfer from Bradford City at the start of the month, but his recovery is ahead of schedule and he is nearing a return to full training.

The striker will remain in the North-East while his Black Cats team-mates head south for this week’s double-header with Gillingham and AFC Wimbledon, but should be ready to step up his training programme significantly next week.

That could mean he is available for the home game with Oxford on September 1, and Ross is looking forward to being able to welcome him into the first-team fold.

The Sunderland boss said: “He’s getting ever closer. He’ll stay when we travel, along with Tom Flanagan, Duncan (Watmore) and Aiden (McGeady), but we’re hoping he’ll be able to join in next week.

“He’s ahead of schedule which is a bonus. The Oxford game might come too quickly, but there’s a chance he could be involved around that time. We’ve been able to knock off fixtures and win games without him so that’s been a bonus, but it’ll obviously be good to have him available.”

While Wyke will not be considered for either of this week’s games, Donald Love and Dylan McGeouch will be part of the squad that travel to Gillingham for Wednesday’s game at Priestfield.

Adam Matthews will also head south, but having damaged his calf in yesterday’s 3-0 win over Scunthorpe United, the full-back remains a doubt for Wednesday.

Ross said: “Adam is responding okay. He’ll travel with us, but we’ll have to wait and see how he is on Wednesday. I’d be hoping he’s available for the game at the weekend, but Wednesday is maybe touch and go.

“Dylan and Donald trained with us today, and they’ll train with us again in the morning. Barring any reaction, they’ll travel south.”

Josh Maja will be trying to make it four goals in four league games when he lines up in two days’ time, and Ross has been delighted with the youngster’s reaction to being asked to lead the line.

He said: “Strikers are naturally always judged on goals, and three in three is terrific for him. Josh has a lot of good attributes.

“The responsibility he’s had to take on, he’s handled that. As young players, sometimes opportunities open up when you don’t expect them. He’s responded extremely well. I think he’ll get better as the season goes on.”