Meyler won’t be rushed back

SUNDERLAND midfielder David Meyler may have played in his first match since May on Tuesday night, but the Irish starlet won’t make his first-team return until Christmas at the earliest.

The 21-year-old midfielder made a 30-minute appearance in the Sunderland reserves’ 2-1 defeat to their Liverpool counterparts as he took his first steps back from a six-month absence with knee ligament damage injury he sustained against Manchester United on the final day of last season.

It was initially feared Meyler would be out of action for as long as 12 months, and while he has progressed far quicker than expected, Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has vowed to adopt a cautious approach with him.

“We have to be careful with David,” Bruce said. “He’s done fantastically well and come through his first reserve game, but we’re looking at at least Christmas and maybe the end of January.

“I’ve got to be true to him. He’s a great boy and would play tomorrow if I’d let him, but we have to be careful and nurse him through.

“I’d say David needs a few more reserve games and another eight weeks’ training before I’ll even consider him for the first team.”

Meyler said he is simply ‘delighted’ to be back playing but has no specific aims regarding a time-scale for a return to the first team.

“It just feels really nice to be playing after a long time out,’’ Meyler said. “The rehab has gone well and still is. I just want to get back out there and hopefully force my way back into the first team. Obviously I’m not 100% fit yet but I felt good and I guess I’m just delighted to be back playing.”

He added: “I don’t have any specific targets just yet. I’ll just see what the medical staff tell me over the few days.”

Meanwhile, James McCarthy has gone under the surgeon’s knife as he begins the long road back to full fitness. The Republic of Ireland international had already been ruled out until next year after damaging ankle ligaments after a tackle by Bolton’s Fabrice Muamba last month.

It was originally thought a programme of intense rehab would be sufficient to get the Wigan midfielder fit. But the Latics decided to send him for surgery on Tuesday to safeguard his long-term future.

The operation was a success, and Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has backed the 19-year-old to come back “stronger and better’’.