ELLIOT EMBLETON will not be available for the start of the Championship season after suffering a minor setback in his return from a long-term foot injury.

Embleton has been sidelined since suffering serious ankle damage in December’s 1-1 draw with Hull City.

It had been hoped that the midfielder would be able to feature in the recent tour of the United States, but it was instead decided that he would remain on Wearside to continue his rehabilitation.

That work to build up his fitness has resulted in a fresh foot issue, which has required a minor bout of surgery.

The problem is not directly related to Embleton’s initial ankle injury, with the 24-year-old’s operation at the start of the year having been successful. However, the need for further surgery has resulted in his comeback date being shuffled back.

Embleton will not be involved in Sunderland’s final pre-season friendly at Hartlepool United tomorrow evening, and will therefore not be considered for the opening game of the Championship campaign against Ipswich Town on Sunday.

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He is likely to be sidelined for at least another couple of weeks, with Sunderland’s medical staff understandably keen to avoid any unnecessary risks given the length of time Embleton has been absent.

“Embo is getting there,” said Sunderland head coach Tony Mowbray, who watched his side draw 1-1 with Spanish team Real Mallorca at the weekend. “We were going to take him to the US, but we decided he probably wouldn’t have played any games.

“He’s had a slight setback, only a week or two, though, I think. He was feeling a bit of pain in the plate that had been inserted into his foot, and because he was feeling pain, the surgeon decided to remove the plate because the fracture had healed.

“Now, it’s going to take a few weeks, maybe a month, for the scar of the removal of the plate to heal, but the fracture is okay so as soon as the operation side is sorted, he will be back playing.

“There’s just a timescale when you take a plate out of your foot. The important thing is that the damage from the original break has healed. It will just be a matter of weeks, really, before Embo is back.”