It was a promising performance from last season's top scorer - with him twice coming close to getting on the scoresheet.
Instead, it was Michael Liddle and David Dowson who provided the goals for the Black Cats.
The news will be greeted with delight by Sunderland fans who hope to see the star make a dramatic return to first-team action in the Wear-Tyne derby on Saturday (12.45 kick-off).