Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris says Granit Xhaka is making good progress with his recovery but will miss this weekend’s clash against his former club Arsenal.

Xhaka has been a revelation since being enticed back to the Premier League to join Sunderland last summer, playing an instrumental role in the club’s impressive season on their return to the English top flight.

But the 33-year-old midfielder picked up an ankle injury during the Black Cats’ 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace and has been missing for the side’s last two games against West Ham and Burnley as a result.

Though no exact date has been given for Xhaka’s potential return to the fold, Le Bris has previously hinted that his captain could be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

According to the The Sunderland Echo, the Switzerland international may still be ‘several weeks’ away from being fully fit, which comes as a major blow to the club’s hopes of European qualification this term.

There will also be some disappointment for Xhaka from a personal perspective that he will be unable to take to the field on his former stomping ground in two days’ time at the Emirates.