LEE CATTERMOLE returns to Sunderland’s squad for Saturday’s game at Scunthorpe United, but his fellow midfielder, George Honeyman, has been ruled out of the trip to Glanford Park.

Cattermole has served a two-match suspension – which was effectively three because of the Checkatrade Trophy game against Newcastle United Under-21s – after picking up his tenth booking of the season in the New Year’s Day win at Blackpool.

He returns to the fold at the weekend, but Honeyman remains unavailable as he continues to battle against an ankle problem.

Josh Maja is available after recovering from the illness that kept him out of last weekend’s draw with Luton Town, while Duncan Watmore is due to return to training tomorrow and has an outside chance of featuring in the squad at Scunthorpe. Donald Love, Glen Loovens and Ethan Robson are long-term absentees.

Ross said: “Squad wise, it’s not that dissimilar to last weekend. Lee returns from suspension.

“Duncan still hasn’t trained as yet, but we’re hopeful that he’ll be back with the main group tomorrow. It was obviously a fairly minor injury anyway.

“George remains out for Saturday’s match, which is obviously a blow for us, but Josh returns from illness.”