Jay Matete is working his way back from a knee injury.

Matete’s comeback will be stepped up next month.

Matete was having a strong pre-season campaign after a successful loan at Plymouth Argyle last season until he suffered a major knee injury on the club’s tour of the United States.

After undergoing surgery, the 22-year-old was anticipated to be out until around the Christmas period, but Sunderland head coach Tony Mowbray said on Thursday that he believes the midfielder is on track.

Matete’s comeback will be stepped up next month.

“Jay has had his boots on this week, very nice new boots!” Mowbray said.

“He’s been running around some poles and jumping over some poles on the grass.” That makes me think he’s coming closer.

“So yeah, I would suggest that sometime in November he could be back with us.”

Sunderland are also considering whether to prolong the loan of teenage defender Zak Johnson to National League side Hartlepool United.

Johnson joined the team on a month-long loan earlier this season and has made four appearances.

Mowbray will not make the decision, but the head coach believes the experience will be crucial for a youngster who has a genuine chance of breaking into the first-team fold  Some were along the way.

“That’s not something I’d be involved in, I did go and watch him the other week,” Mowbray was quoted as saying.

“He should play senior football; I believe it is beneficial for young players.” Zak is a gifted young man, but it’s a completely different experience playing senior football when every outcome counts. It’s not easy at that level, and several of our guys, like Pierre Ekwah, came to us having never played senior football before. There is an acclimatization period, and any game time for Zak can only be a good thing. I believe he has a genuine potential of being a Sunderland player in the future.”