Alex Pritchard likely to miss Sunderland reunion, Tony Mowbray confirms

Sunderland may not get a quick reunion with Alex Pritchard this weekend, with Tony Mowbray telling the midfielder to not ‘rush’ his return from injury.

Pritchard joined Birmingham from Sunderland on deadline day, but he has only managed 45 minutes of football for the Blues so far.

He was again missing from the squad as Birmingham beat Blackburn 1-0 on Tuesday, and Mowbray does not sound optimistic about his chances of lining up against his former club later this week.

Speaking about Pritchard’s current injury, Mowbray said: “I’m not sure he’s going to make the weekend.

“It’s a calf strain from his first game. I’ve told Alex, ‘You don’t need to rush it’. Let’s get his calf right and get him back properly.”

Pritchard risked an acrimonious exit from Sunderland by refusing to play for the club against Stoke in January as he attempted to force through the move to the Midlands. 

He later said there was 'no bad blood' though, and fans seemed to feel more sadness about how it ended than anger. 

Sunderland may also not get a reunion with another one of their former players either at St Andrews.

Defender Dion Sanderson, who had an excellent season for Sunderland during the 2020/21 season, has returned to training following injury.

Mowbray, though, is keen to play that one with caution too. However, he appears to have a better chance of playing than Pritchard.

“Dion’s back training on Thursday,” Mowbray said. “I’m not sure I’m going to throw him straight in after just two days of training on Thursday and Friday.”

READ MORE SUNDERLAND NEWS

• Sunderland contract situation: Who is nearing the end of their current deal?
• Top Ten: Sunderland's best ever January signings
• Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham names two former Sunderland players as his heroes
• Jordan Willis and seven other Sunderland careers ruined by injury
• Sell to thrive, not sell to survive: The Sunderland 'model' explained - in their own words
• Luke O'Nien and eight other Sunderland players who successfully changed positions