SUNDERLAND manager Mick McCarthy could have the chance to call on his former Republic of Ireland charge Jason McAteer when Chelsea visit the Stadium of Light this Saturday.

McAteer, a key member of the Republic squad during McCarthy's six-year reign, has been a frustrated onlooker in his first two games at the Sunderland helm.

A hamstring injury forced 31-year-old McAteer to miss the home match against Bolton and the trip to West Ham, which ended in 2-0 defeats. But McAteer is back in training and confirmed: "I'm hoping to be ready for Chelsea.

"The hamstring went in the first minute of the Fulham game. I managed to get through that match, but I had a scan afterwards and it showed a superficial tear."

McAteer, who sat out nearly five months of the season after two hernia operations, admitted: "When you are out for a long time, your body changes and your muscles change.

"You are at risk of picking up other injuries when you come back, and unfortunately that's what has happened in my case.

"It's disappointing because the new manager has come in and you want to be available for him.

"I had no problems with Howard Wilkinson, but I'd worked with Mick for a long time with Ireland, we have a good relationship and I was looking forward to playing for him at Sunderland.

"Hopefully I'll be doing that sooner rather than later - if selected of course.

"All-in I've missed around six months of a very important season for the club.

"But I started jogging and kicking the ball last week and barring another setback, I hope to step it up and try to be available for Chelsea."

Centre-back Jody Craddock, another player yet to figure under McCarthy, is also set to return after two games out with a groin injury.

McCarthy said: "Jody had only trained on the Friday before the West Ham game and I didn't think that was enough. He's fine now and should be okay for the weekend."

Midfielder Paul Thirlwell, however, is out for the rest of the season after undergoing a double hernia operation.

Read more about Sunderland here.