JACK ROSS has revealed that £4m striker Will Grigg will be travelling to Oxford United in the hope of making his Sunderland debut on Saturday.

And the Black Cats boss believes the Northern Ireland international has what it takes to really make an impact on the League One promotion race this season.

Grigg arrived with an ankle problem on transfer deadline day so missed last week’s game with Wimbledon. He is, though, now ready to appear in a Sunderland shirt.

Ross said: “He should be fine to travel, he trained the majority of the session on Tuesday and trained all of today. Unless there is an adverse reaction he will be OK for this weekend.

“Like Grant Leadbitter, like Lewis Morgan, Will has not played too much this season, so it is about getting them up to speed. In terms of the injury itself he is good to go at the moment.”

And Ross is convinced he can make his mark in the penalty box after allowing Josh Maja to join Bordeaux.

“He was identified early, a long term priority, the one we wanted to bring to the club but it looked like it might not happen,” said Ross.

“The best way to describe it, all’s well and ends well. We have brought a player very much proven in this league. He will be an asset over the next few months of this season.

“You look at the goals to game ratio, the division they have done that in, so Will’s track record in this league is as good as anyone. He has achieved success as well, individually and collectively, winning this division. He has an international pedigree too. Overall he is a very good signing for us. I am sure he will help us.”

Sunderland head to Oxford sitting three points shy of second place Barnsley and boosted by a small injury list. With the exception of long term absentee Donald Love, Ross’s only worries are whether Lee Cattermole and Bryan Oviedo can travel with slight injuries.

Ross, who is unlikely to rise Cattermole or Oviedo, said: “By coincidence it is the healthiest we have been as a squad, that has helped. There have not been too many occasions like that.

“We have always carried injuries all season. There is absolute competition for places. Players understand they have to be at it all the time to keep them in the team. It allows us to be flexible. All in all we have good options on paper and it’s about putting it into practice.”