Kanoute eyes Sunderland comeback

Frederic Kanoute hopes to return on October 19 as his groin injury is not as serious as first appeared.

The West Ham striker thought he could be out for a month after he was injured in the Chelsea game.

He may now only miss one Premiership game against Birmingham.

Kanoute told Icons: ''The scans have shown that the muscle is not torn which now means I will not be out of action for as long as I originally feared.

''I picked up the injury after a tackle very early on. The tackle itself did not cause the problem - it was my movement away after the contact and I knew immediately I would not be able to continue.

''I know that groin strains usually mean a player is unavailable for a month but this injury should only keep me out for two to three weeks.

''With the Premiership shutting down next weekend for international matches that could mean I only miss the game against Birmingham, and I

could be back in time for our trip to Sunderland.''