Tony Mowbray always refused to make too much of an issue of Sunderland's injury problems last season, but that doesn't mean they were a big factor on his side's progress.
That the Black Cats made the play-offs WITHOUT the likes of Ross Stewart and Corry Evans regularly in the side just underlines how good a job Mowbray and the available players did against all the odds. It's not the first time Sunderland have been dogged by injuries, of course, but several players were ruled out for long spells.
So as the Wearsiders begin to look ahead to the 2023-24 campaign, they will no doubt be hoping for better luck on the injury front - and welcoming some big names back into first-team consideration.
Here are six players we could be seeing a lot more of in red-and-white over the coming season.
READ MORE: Dennis Cirkin wants Sunderland's promotion push to 'get started as soon as possible'
Ross Stewart
The big one. Unbelievably, Stewart managed to score 11 goals in just 15 appearances for the Black Cats last season. Just imagine what they could have done with him in the side all season. There weren't many who questioned his ability to step up from League One, but the Scotland star banished any doubts with five goals before August was even out.
Two big injuries ruined his campaign, but if he can back to full fitness for the start of the season then Sunderland know goals are almost guaranteed.
Corry Evans
The Sunderland skipper has not been seen in first-team action since January after picking up a season-ending cruciate ligament injury. His experience could be vital for the Black Cats next term with the 32-year-old remaining a big influence in the dressing room despite his injury.
"Corry's just a really good professional footballer who understands his job, does his job, does his work every day, sets the standards in the dressing room," Tony Mowbray said of the former Blackurn midfielder. "He'll still set the standards in the dressing room for young players at this football club. I've got no fears he'll be back stronger and helping us in the future.
Aji Alese
It took a little while for the former West Ham youngster to break into the first-team picture at Sunderland, which made his thigh injury which ended his season in March all the more frustrating. In a season when the Black Cats were hit by several injuries in the centre of defence, Alese was establishing himself as a promising talent, and will again play a big role in the coming campaign.
Dan Ballard
Another player who sums up Sunderland's injury problems, Ballard suffered two lengthy lay-offs, firstly with a fractured foot and then a hamstring problem which ended his season. The Northern Ireland international did show in his 22 appearances that he was a big signing for the club, and his return to action won't come a moment too soon.
Jewison Bennette
This was always going to be a season of growth for the Costa Rica international, with Bennette not expected to make a huge instant impact. However, his chances were curtailed by a sprain which meant he had to sit out the final weeks of the season, but fans will long remember his goal at Watford. The youngster is again unlikely to command an instant first-team place, but with a full pre-season under his belt, he will be a useful asset.
Niall Huggins
The 22-year-old has suffered an horrendous time with injuries, managing just one Championship and one FA Cup appearance before two substitute runouts in the play-off semi-finals with Luton. The defender is surely due a slice of luck on the injury front, and Sunderland will hopefully see the player who impressed so much with Leeds United's Under-21s.
