TONY MOWBRAY is hoping to start gradually introducing Sunderland’s late summer signings into the first-team fold, although the Black Cats boss has revealed that Edouard Michut is already nursing a strain that will delay his promotion to the senior fold.

The Black Cats made four signings in the final few days of the transfer window, bringing in Amad Diallo on loan from Manchester United as well as signing Costa Rica international Jewison Bennette, French midfielder Abdoullah Ba and Paris St Germain loanee Michut.

Diallo, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Rangers, is by far the more experienced of the quartet, and came off the bench during Monday’s 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough. He is set to retain his place in the squad for Saturday’s home game with Millwall.

The other three newcomers will be introduced more gradually, with Michut nursing an injury that will have to be carefully managed in the next couple of weeks.

“We put on a bounce game the other day against the Under-18s and 21s,” said Mowbray. “We managed to get Jewison Bennette a game, Amad played as well, Abdoullah Ba too.

“Edouard Michut has got a slight strain, I think the first couple of days of training were probably a bit more intense than what he's been used to recently, so he didn't play and is probably a week or two behind the others.

“You have to be careful with these boys, we gave Amad a run-out on Monday because he's had a full pre-season and is up and running a bit more.

“We can see the talent with the other lads, how fast they are. We just need to see a bit more of them every day. If the team is functioning and doing alright, it gives you the chance to give them a bit longer on the training ground and let them get used to the tempo a bit more.”