Fabio Borini has returned to training at Sunderland.

The Sunderland Echo says the 25-year-old has been out since the end of August with a thigh injury picked up in the 1-1 draw with Southampton at St Mary's Stadium.

With Duncan Watmore ruled out for the rest of the campaign with a cruciate knee ligament injury, Borini's return is a timely one.

He is not expected to be drafted straight back into the starting line-up but could be on the bench at the Liberty Stadium against Swansea City this weekend.

Borini said: “Thankfully I'm back now because I've been waiting for this moment – to be out there with my team-mates again – and it's the perfect Christmas present for me and my family."