Bailey Wright is set to resume training tomorrow - but he will sit out Sunderland's EFL Trophy quarter-final at MK Dons on Tuesday night.
The centre-back suffered a mild concussion following a clash of heads with Aaron Drinan in the Black Cats' win at Ipswich Town last Tuesday which saw him substituted shortly after the hour at Portman Road.
And due to the concussion protocol, he sat out Sunderland's draw against Gillingham yesterday, in the process losing losing his ever-present league record this season.
Wright will return to training tomorrow but cannot play in the EFL Trophy game because he picked up bookings in previous rounds against Port Vale and Oldham, and the rules state that any player who is booked twice up to and including the quarter-final stage must serve a one-game suspension in the competition.
However he is expected to be back in the side for the league trip to MK Dons next Saturday.
Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson said of Wright: "Monday he's allowed back into full training.
"It's frustrating because he's been OK, and a few years ago he would probably have played on Saturday [against Gillingham] but of course I understand that you've got to do it now.
"It's the right thing. "
Wright's influence at the back was missed against Gillingham as Sunderland struggled to deal with the wave of long balls and set-pieces which rained into their penalty area.
Johnson was left bemoaning his side's inability to see out the game as the Gills scored a 90th minute equaliser at the Stadium of Light, saying Sunderland needed more communication at the back - something that Wright normally provides.
"I think it's a society thing, to be honest," said Johnson of the lack of communication.
"They could text each other or send a whatsapp, no bother. It's that old-school mentality to bring people around you, and not be ashamed to say you need help or cover.
"For that one action [the late equaliser], we didn't do that well enough."
