Sunderland manager Steve Bruce will put Asamoah Gyan through extra training as they build up to the start of the premiership campaign.
The Black Stars forward returned to training later than majority of the Sunderland squad having represented Ghana at international level and is yet to appear in any of their pre-season games.
Bruce is hoping he can get Gyan involved when the Sunderland squad returns to England.
"With Asa he missed the back end of last season and has had three three or four weeks off after internationals. We've put some extra work into Asa to make sure we put the ground work in to get his fitness levels right.
"That will be important for him with a long season ahead."
Gyan hit double figures in goals in first season in England and has vowed to improve on that in his second
