It’s a virus, and not a training injury, that could rule Rocco Vata out of tomorrow’s game with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

The Irish Under-21 international missed last week’s game with Norwich after picking up a knock in training but, while he has recovered well from that, Vata is currently unwell.

“Rocco took a knock in training, which we were really pleased with how he’s recovered from that,” said Tom Cleverley.

“Now today he’s been struck down by a virus so we’re going to assess him over the next 24 hours: not ruling him out of the game but it’s more the virus than the injury which is making him a doubt for the weekend.”

No other fresh injuries?

TC: “No, Pierre Dwomoh is developing and is back on the pitch, Dan Bachmann is out of the boot now and is also progressing and Baah is one we’re having to take slowly but he’ll be about four to six weeks now.”

With Bayo and Baah out, that’s three of your top attacking players isn’t it?

TC: “Yeah, but like I said we have to have a little bit of siege mentality about us.

“Last week we had no No.9 for 65 minutes and I thought we were excellent with Kayembe trying to do two jobs at once.

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“There is all this talk, and I don’t know if players read anything, but you don’t want to start making excuses for the players.

“We find solutions and I’m sure we will.”

The one that came in, the Chelsea full-back Caleb Wiley, how fit is he, and if he’s not right how long might it be before he is?

TC: “I expect around four weeks.

“He’ll do the bulk of his rehab at Chelsea and then he will come into us in about three weeks’ time, and strengthen a position that I thought we needed to strengthen in terms of depth more than anything.”

One of the positives of the transfer window is James Abankwah who has been excellent.

TC: “Yeah, and I’m glad you’ve mentioned a positive because he is willing to learn, he’s got defensive instincts which we were missing and he gives us speed on the back line.

“He was someone we identified which could come in and really strengthen us.

“I believe he has and the exciting thing is I believe he has a lot of development left in him.”

Is Kevin Keben fully fit? Could he be involved if needed?

TC: “Yes, he’s in the squad.

“I thought Pollock and Abankwah were excellent last weekend so he’s going to struggle to get into the starting line-up for this weekend but he’s an important part.

“I really do like what I see in training.

“I’m not going to beat around the bush: the player has got some injury concerns and we have to manage him carefully.

“But if we can consistently see him out there he’s going to be a big asset to us.”

Can Imran Louza handle three games in a week?

TC: “There’s only one way to find out!

“He’s still a young player and aerobically a very fit player.

“It’s a position where we do have options if he can’t.”