Lee Cattermole is fully-fit and in line for a return when Sunderland take on Doncaster Rovers on Friday - and Chris Maguire is also likely to be involved after two months on the sidelines.
But Dylan McGeouch has been ruled out and Aiden McGeady is also a major doubt.
Cattermole was back in the squad for Sunderland's 5-4 defeat against Coventry City last weekend following a three-game absence with an ankle injury, but he was an unused sub with manager Jack Ross taking a safety first approach with the midfielder having rejoined full training only a day previously.
However Cattermole has now trained all week and is in contention to start when Rovers visit the Stadium of Light.
Ross also expects Maguire to return to the squad for the first time since breaking his leg in February, although his lack of match fitness means he is set for a substitute's role at best.
McGeouch picked up a knock against Burton Albion last week, while McGeady - who returned from a foot injury to play 25 minutes as a sub against Coventry - is still suffering discomfort.
"Lee has had a full week of training this week, so that's him back to full fitness," said Ross. "Last week he had only trained for a day.
"Dylan remains out and there are a few others who have only just returned to training today, which is the equivalent to Thursday ahead of a Saturday game, so we will just have to see how they come through that.
"Aiden is still a big doubt for us. For him to play half-an-hour last week is testament to his desire to play, but it wasn't ideal and he still has quite a painful injury."
Maguire has not been involved since fracturing his fibula against Gillingham almost two months ago.
But Ross said: "Chris has been in full training this week. Obviously he has been out for eight weeks, but we hope to have him back in and around the squad.
"He only just started training towards the end of last week and, by his own admission, he would tell you that it was hard to do that after so long out.
"You don't just come straight back in and everything starts happening, he knew he was still a bit off it - not physically, I mean his touch and everything.
"So having this full week has been helpful in that regard.
"You always look at the ones who you believe can handle the demands of these fixtures in terms of the pressure and I think we've got quite a lot of them.
"Chris falls into that bracket but, more importantly, he is the only player in the squad who is a natural number ten.
Sunderland 2-0 Doncaster
"It was a blow to lose him and we have had to manage without him so it is good to have him back.
"He isn't fully match-fit but even getting him towards fitness will hopefully give us a boost."
Lynden Gooch has missed the last two games with a hamstring problem and has not been ruled out of Friday's game, although Ross believes the Easter Monday trip to Peterborough United is a more realistic target.
He said: "Lynden is one of those who trained today but he has been out since the Rochdale game, so we'll see how he reacts after today.
"If he is not involved on Friday, hopefully he will be ready for Monday.
"It might be a big ask for him to be ready for Friday but the extra few days before Monday will hopefully make a difference."
