Sunderland outcast Ross Wallace is on the verge of playing his way back into Roy Keane's first-team squad plans.

The winger was transfer-listed in January after falling out of favour with the management and the Scottish B international's dismay deepened when he suffered ligament damage which was expected to end his season.

But he has made a quicker than anticipated recovery and is not only back in training but has impressed his manager with his efforts.

Keane told the Sunderland Echo: "Ross is doing really well. We are looking at trying to organise a friendly next Wednesday with Darlington Reserves.

"And we are hoping Ross will have a run-out because he has looked absolutely excellent in training.

"He travelled to Spain with us and he trained yesterday and he's doing really well, I have to say."

Whether Wallace will be match-fit enough in time to play a part in Sunderland's end of season run-in remains to be seen. But Keane signalled in January that any player who did not leave in the transfer window would come into contention for team selection from then on in. Keane said: "Ross is cutting it fine in terms of getting back involved this season. But he's shown a great attitude, just like a lot of injured lads and that's a credit to the medical staff here.

"We hope that when you're injured at this club, you're the sort of player who sees it as your worst nightmare. You want to get fit for football as soon as you can because you don't want to miss the involvement with the squad.

"You don't want to be in at silly hours and working extremely hard. But Ross travelled to Spain with us this week and I think that did him the world of good. I think he was ready for that."