And his rehabilitation has gone so well that had the season been a few weeks longer, he would have been looking to make a first-team return.

The tough-tackling right-back was injured, along with Jonny Evans, in training the week before the Newcastle United derby at St James's Park.

And several rumours circulating at the time suggested that the injury was so serious that it might sideline him long term. But that has proved not to be the case.

Black Cats boss Roy Keane said: "Bardo is doing well, and is progressing nicely after the operation.

"He's still involved in his rehabilitation, but he's doing fine, and, to put it in perspective, if there was a game two or three weeks from now he would probably looking to be involved.

"So we don't expect anything like him being involved in doing rehab all summer. If anything, he'll just be looking for a normal pre-season."

That's good news for Sunderland fans, who saw the defensive solidity produced by Bardsley and Evans after their arrival in the January transfer window help turn Sunderland's season around.

Bardsley's team-mate Dickson Etuhu is also coming along nicely after his own knee problems.

Keane said: "Dickson's had his operation and that's gone fine, and now he's looking at building up fitness again.

"As for Darren Ward (who has been suffering with a back problem), he's got over that and is now back in full training. I think he's looking to get fit for the close season!"