ALEX Pritchard’s fitness has been rated 50-50 ahead of Sunderland’s trip to take on Queens Park Rangers in the EFL Cup.

The attacking midfielder started the defeat to Charlton Athletic at the weekend after recovering from a neck injury. However, manager Lee Johnson admits that the 28-year-old played through the pain barrier at the Stadium of Light.

Pritchard has played 15 games in all competitions for Sunderland this season but the trip to Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium might come too soon for the attacking midfielder.

Lynden Gooch, Corry Evans and Leon Dajaku were all on the bench at the weekend after their respective injuries. All three could now potentially be involved as Pritchard’s setback.

On the squad’s other injuries, Manager Johnson said: “Apart from that it is relatively clean bill of health, but obviously Elliot [Embleton] is suspended, Jordan [Willis] remains out and Arbenit [Xhemajli] is continuing his recovery. 

“They [the players returning] have another three or four days under their belts and there was a few more minutes for some of them on Saturday.

“Six or seven of them have taken two steps back in their fitness levels - not as in lungs, but match fitness - and that’s where we can use the amount of games as a positive, especially in the Carabao Cup where you have the opportunity to have up to nine subs and use five of them.”

The Black Cats boss has already eluded to a number of changes that will be made for tomorrow night ahead of a busy schedule of fixtures of the League One side.