The 30-year-old had missed the opening two games of this season, following his red card at Leeds on the penultimate day of the last campaign.

"Steven was very good in pre-season, so I was sad to do without him in the first games," Daniel Farke told the media on Friday afternoon.

"I'm really thankful he returns right now. We have four games in the next eleven days so we need every player.

"He's in good condition and is a leader on the pitch. Nelson Oliveira is also available, depending on how the next few training sessions go."

Farke is also satisfied with the continuing progress of Ivo Pinto and Wes Hoolahan, who both featured in Tuesday night's 3-2 victory over Swindon Town.

"Everything is good even though it was early to bring them in from the start," he explained.

"Wes is a little bit further on than Ivo because Ivo was only in training eight or nine days. We need them both at 100 per cent as soon as possible and they needed minutes so we took the risk.

"It was really positive so no problems. They were a little bit tired and we have to be careful of their load but it was important to bring them onto the pitch."

On his latest two additions, Tom Trybull and Marco Stiepermann, being involved against The Black Cats, Farke added: "Tom needs two more weeks of training to be 100 per cent.

"Marco is in a better physical condition and was in the squad for the Cup game. He's an option but needs some time to get used to our ideas."

Providing an updates on pre-existing injury concerns, the 40-year-old said: "It's bad news for Alex Pritchard.

"He needs an operation so we will have to do without him for at least 12 weeks. We hope he will be able to return in the middle of November, then will need time when he's back in training.

"He's a key player for us but sometimes in football there are injuries. We have to handle it, and we will.

"With Timm Klose, it looks good. He's back on the pitch and doing some stuff, although he's not in the team training right now.

"I hope he can return to that before the international break. It's some good news but we have to wait a bit still."

The Canaries will also be without Harry Toffolo and Jamal Lewis this weekend, with Louis Thompson set to be sidelined for the majority of the season.

Team News: City v Sunderland

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