REGIS Le Bris has stressed the need for caution with Dan Ballard, who isn't yet in contention to return to action for Sunderland.

The Black Cats will again be without Ballard for Sunday's visit of Portsmouth, with Chris Mepham and Luke O'Nien set to continue at centre-half.

Ballard has been missing since suffering a muscle injury in the final stages of the home win over Norwich City at the back end of last month, and Le Bris is reluctant to rush the 25-year-old back into action.

"I think we'll have to take care of Dan because it's a muscle injury," said Le Bris.

"It's not major but with muscle injuries you have to be very careful because you can have reinjuries. Joint injuries are different. We'll have to wait a little bit."

Sunderland will also have to be patient with Alan Browne, who is a couple of weeks behind where he was expected to be in his comeback from a fracture in his leg.

Le Bris said: "With Alan, the recovery has not been quick so we will have to delay a week or two I think. Like Romaine [Mundle], he will be back a little bit later this month."

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Le Bris says Chris Rigg is "recovering well" from his ankle injury, though this weekend's game will come too soon.

Salis Abdul Samed has been in full training throughout this week but won't be involved on Sunday. He's likely to make his debut in next week's FA Cup tie against Stoke City.

Ahmed Abdullahi, who, like Samed, has not featured since joining in the summer, is also now back in training but is unlikely to feature before the end of January.

Le Bris said: "Salis is training now, he's in full training.

"Ahmed is training but like Salis, he has not played for around six months now. So I don't know exactly when he will be available but it will be probably take three our four weeks to find his full rhythm."

Tommy Watson is still at least a couple of weeks away from being in contention to return. The winger has been out since suffering both knee and ankle injuries in the December draw with Bristol City.