Sunderland have had it tough of late. Their chances of achieving a place in the play-offs look to be all but over, with a poor run of form putting them out of contention.
With eight games left to play between now and the end of the season they sit in 12th in the table. They are now 13 points outside of the top six.
Their priority will now be to finish the Championship campaign strongly and face a Cardiff City side whose play-off hopes are hanging by a thread coming into the final couple of months.
To help them regain their form and get points on the board they will need their best players fit and available. Therefore, it will be a huge boost to see three first-team players return to action after long injury lay-offs when they face Cardiff City on Friday.
According to Sunderland Echo reporter Phil Smith, left-back Ajese and midfielder duo Dack and Evans are back in contention to take on the Bluebirds.
However, Jack Clarke will not be fit to play, nor will Nazariy Rusyn.
The Black Cats managed to stop the rot with their 0-0 draw with QPR last weekend after six consecutive defeats and so they will hope they have turned a corner.
Having Ajese, Dack and Evans back fit and available will only strengthen their chances of getting more points on the board and finishing the season strongly.
Their long injury lay-offs mean interim boss Mike Dodds will need to be cautious as putting them into the side prematurely could aggravate their issues. But a few minutes against Cardiff City will help them in their rehabilitation.
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