Cirkin suffered a wrist injury towards the end of last season that needed two separate bouts of treatment to resolve and has also been struggling with a knee issue that required a period of rest.
With Sunderland’s medical staff confident that both problems have now been successfully addressed, Cirkin has spent the international break training with the club’s Under-21s.
He is set to join in with training with the full first-team group soon, and should be available for selection before the end of the month.
Hjelde’s anticipated return date is a week or two after that, but the defender is also making positive progress as he recovers from an Achilles injury that required surgery on both of his tendons.
“Leo is really close,” said Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris, whose side return to action after the international break tomorrow with a home game against Wolves. “He should be available to train with the team in two or three weeks, I think.
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“Dennis has been back training with the Under-21s after a long period of rest, so we’re hoping that he will be close to the squad in one or two weeks.”
Aji Alese has been sidelined by a combination of leg and shoulder problems, with his comeback schedule having been paused when he suffered a muscular setback last month. The defender is yet to return to outdoor training, so it remains to be seen when he is able to return.
Habib Diarra’s recovery from groin surgery remains on track, although the midfielder is expected to be sidelined for at least another month-and-a-half.
“Aji is not on the pitch right now,” confirmed Le Bris. “And with Habib, we are thinking the beginning of December or maybe the middle.”