Noble made one substitute appearance for Derby during his loan spell

Sunderland striker Ryan Noble has returned to Wearside from a loan spell at Derby County, after suffering a recurrence of a back problem.

Noble, 19, made just one substitute appearance for Nigel Clough's side in October's 0-0 draw with Swansea City.

"He's struggling, he's gone back to Sunderland, he's got a problem with his back," Clough told BBC Radio Derby.

"It's something that has been getting increasingly more and more painful for him over the last few weeks."

Clough added: "He'll probably be out for a couple of months. We're going to be ask to be kept informed as and when he's fit so we have an opportunity to take him back.

He's already missed eight or 10 months with a stress fracture of his back Derby boss Nigel Clough

"He's only 19, so just like anything it's important he gets fully fit.

"We saw in the reserve game he played he was trying to play, but was struggling with the movement in his back because he's eager and keen to play.

"He's already missed eight or 10 months with a stress fracture of his back and it's important he gets it right."

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