TONY Mowbray has welcomed a much-needed fitness boost for Sunderland with Amad Diallo back in training and Luke O'Nien available for the visit of Luton.

But Mowbray also suggested that he's dealing with a fresh injury concern and hinted that a first team player has been ruled out of Saturday's game.

Amad has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury but could be in contention to return to the squad this weekend. And O'Nien has shaken off the knock that forced him to hobble off in the late stages of the midweek defeat to Sheffield United.

Mowbray said: "Luke O'Nien should be alright. A few didn't train today so we'll see tomorrow to see if they're going to be alright. Amad trained today so there's a positive for us.

"Like for a long time since I first walked in we have different challenges with different players in different areas, you'll see when the team sheet comes out and you think why isn't he playing. Well it's not for me to tell you the day before a game who's available and who's not available.

"As always we have challenges but we'll give it our best shot and hopefully be competitive in the game."

Sunderland are looking to bounce back from the Sheffield United defeat.

Mowbray revealed that since that game he's taken a call from Kevin Friend, manager of the Select Group Two referees, to apologise for the decision to allow Sheffield United's offside winner to stand.