A RAY of sunshine has appeared for Phil Parkinson’s injury-hit squad with the news Sammy Ameobi is expected back in contention after the international break.

The winger has yet to feature in a competitive game since signing on a free transfer from Newcastle United in the summer.

Ameobi picked up a knee injury on the eve of the new season but Parkinson has confirmed both he and David Wheater – missing since the opening day defeat by Leeds United - will be in the mix when Wanderers return to action on Saturday week against Middlesbrough at the Macron.

“Fingers crossed Sammy will be very close when we get through the international break and Wheater should be right too, so that’s two more back in the mix,” he said. “Obviously, any squad, let alone one with numbers like ours, is going to feel the absence of two of your key players and those two fall into that category.

“When we get back we need to get straight back down and have a really good month – but it will definitely be a busy one.

“We need every player we can to be fit and firing.”

Jem Karacan had a scan yesterday but theclub is yet to confirm whether he will be missing long-term after he was injured in a heavy challenge from David Meyler on Friday night.

If the former Reading man requires an extended stay on the side-lines, it could add extra weight to the club’s appeal to the EFL for extra space in their embargo-restricted squad.

Josh Vela faces another six weeks out with an ankle injury and both Josh Cullen and Will Buckley picked up muscular injuries at the KCOM Stadium.

Parkinson wants to use the next fortnight wisely and intends to ensure Wanderers are a different prospect when they emerge for their next home game against another of the division’s heavy-hitters, Middlesbrough.

“When we come back after the international break we have to find a way of staying in games because we’ve given early goals away on three occasions now and it has got to stop,” he said. “It is not good enough. We wanted to go into the break in a better position, with more points but that isn’t the case. Now we need to get one or two key players back fit.”