SUNDERLAND boss Simon Grayson expects Lewis Grabban's injury frustration to be over 'very soon'.

The on-loan Cherries striker has not played for a month due to a hamstring problem, missing Championship games against Hull, Cardiff, Ipswich and Preston.

However, Grayson says Grabban is making good progress and insists the 29-year-old will not be rushed back.

Speaking to the Black Cats' official website, Grayson said: "Lewis is working well with the physios. It's a procedure we're going through, we don't rush any player back so we have them for the long term, not the short term.

"But he's making good progress and I'm sure he'll be back in a red and white shirt very soon."

Not given a squad number by Cherries boss Eddie Howe for the current campaign, Grabban has scored three goals for Sunderland since joining on a season-long loan in July.

He agreed terms on a three-and-a-half year contract when he rejoined Cherries from Norwich for an undisclosed fee in January 2016, believed to have been around £7million.

The striker made three substitute appearances in the Premier League last season and started the FA Cup defeat at Millwall in January.

He spent the second half of the campaign on loan at Reading, helping the Royals reach the Championship play-off final.