Sunderland skipper Lee Cattermole says having Fraizer Campbell and Michael Turner available will be like welcoming two new signings.
Both are now almost ready for first-team returns and Cattermole says the squad will be much stronger with the pair back on senior duty.
"Michael and Fraizer are back in training now and hopefully they can help us have a good end to the season," he told safc.com. "The time out has been tough on both of them and they're like two new signings.
"Fraizer was unbelievable in pre-season. He was our star player - sharp and strong. Having him back will give us something totally different up front and he's looking good.
"Michael defends the area well and gets up and heads the ball well. He's a leader; totally reliable. We need players like him and he'll be looking forward to coming back.
"Footballers do pick up injuries and some seasons are worse than others. You just have to keep dealing with it because it's part of the game."
