Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone is running ahead of schedule in his injury recovery.

The Sunderland echo says Mannone is ahead of schedule and is hoping to make a swift return to action after elbow surgery.

The 28-year-old was ruled out for three months in late August after injuring his arm at the end of a training session.

But he is aiming to step up his recovery in the coming weeks as he targets a first team return.

“I'm already ahead of schedule and it's not as bad as we expected at the beginning," revealed Mannone. “I'm feeling really strong and I'm starting to go out and put more strength on my arm."