Sunderland midfielder Dean Whitehead isn't rushing his comeback from knee injury.

He told the Sunderland Echo: "It's a question of getting the balance right really. You want to push yourself as much as possible because obviously you are eager to get back as quick as you can.

"But it is even more important that you don't push yourself too hard and risk a setback.

"At the moment, I'm doing a little bit of light jogging, although I'm nowhere near looking at any sort of ball work.

"I'm managing to keep myself okay fitness-wise - I can do upper body work, swimming and spinning classes - so when I'm ready to return, I don't think fitness will be that much of a problem.

"Progress has been slow, but it is progress and I have just got to do what I'm told to do and hope everything continues to go according to plan."