Sunderland boss Steve Bruce was handed a major boost when it was confirmed that striker Kenwyne Jones suffered no lasting damage in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Manchester City.
The 25-year-old Trinidad and Tobago international failed to return after the break, and Bruce later voiced his fears that the frontman could be sidelined for a month with a groin problem.
However, scans have shown the injury is not as serious as was first thought and Jones has not yet been ruled out of Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Birmingham.
Bruce told the club's official website, www.safc.com: "Kenwyne's had a scan and thankfully, the damage isn't as bad as we first feared.
"It's too early to say whether he will make Saturday's game, but we will keep an eye on him, give him all the treatment we can and keep our fingers crossed."
Copyright (c) PA Sport 2009, All Rights Reserved.
