Cirkin suffered a wrist injury towards the end of last season that required surgery, but the problem was not resolved by the operation and further treatment has been needed.
The full-back has also been complaining of a problem with his knee, so the [Black Cats](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/sunderland)’ medical team have suggested that Cirkin steps back from training in order to give his body the best possible chance of healing. As a result, the date for his planned comeback has been pushed back.
“It’s a bit longer than expected,” said head coach Regis Le Bris. “For Dennis, we have to wait a bit. Things didn’t heal properly after his wrist injury, and he has been complaining of his knee as well. He needs to rest a bit.
“We have decided to step back really. We have decided to give him a real period of rest so that he can reset and get ready to reconnect with the squad. That will give him the best chance of getting back to a point where he can perform.”
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Like Cirkin, it was initially hoped that Luke O’Nien, Aji Alese and Leo Hjelde would all be available at the end of the international break. However, none of the quartet will be involved in the squad that faces Crystal Palace on Saturday.
O’Nien and Alese are around a week away from resuming full training, but Hjelde has suffered similar issues to Cirkin that have seen his recovery schedule have to be redrawn.
“Luke should be ready around Aston Villa, but Leo has struggled with his Achilles and will be a bit longer than expected as well,” said Le Bris.
“He had the surgery for both (of his Achilles) and worked hard last season to be connected with the squad, even if it was painful. But now, like Dennis, he has to rest completely to be able to connect with the squad again later.
“Aji is close to coming back, but after a long period without playing it is still hard for him to reconnect with the level, so we will have to be patient.”
Dan Ballard’s recovery is on schedule, and while the centre-half will not be involved at Selhurst Park, he should be available for the following weekend’s home game with Villa.
Sunderland brought in three new players on deadline day, signing Lutsharel Geertrudia, Brian Brobbey and Bertrand Traore.
Geertrudia and Brobbey have spent the last fortnight training at the Academy of Light, but Le Bris is yet to work with Traore as the winger has been away on international duty with Burkina Faso.
The Sunderland boss is happy with Geertrudia and Brobbey’s general fitness levels, but is unlikely to select any of the deadline-day arrivals in his starting line-up at Palace.
“I don’t know for Bertrand \[his fitness levels\],” said Le Bris. “Because Bertrand was with his national team during this period. So, we’ll see this afternoon.
“For the two others, they seem okay. Probably not ready for 90 minutes right now, but they should be ready quickly, I think.”