Sunderland fans have been waiting patiently to see summer signing Ian Poveda given a proper run out in the Championship.
Ian Poveda was one of nine players to arrive at Sunderland during the summer. But so far the former Leeds United man has played just 18 minutes of Championship football for the Black Cats.
The 24-year-old arrived at the Stadium of Light after missing the end of last through injury. Poveda also arrives with a chequered injury record from previous years, which has seen him play just 70 league games since the start of the 2019/20 season.
Poveda has now been left out of the last three matchday squads. Regis Le Bris has been urging caution with the Colombian, though Poveda has been tipped to feature more prominently, very soon.
Speaking to the press on Thursday, Le Bris was once again asked about Poveda, ahead of a trip to Vicarage Road to face Watford in the Championship on Saturday.
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Regis Le Bris shares Ian Poveda fitness latest
Sunderland have a few injuries in the first-team squad right now, with Alan Browne and Poveda being two.
Le Bris says that Browne could be available to travel to Watford after a minor knee injury kept him sidelined for the 1-0 win vs Middlesbrough last weekend.
And Poveda could also be in the team to face Watford. Le Bris told Sunderland Echo: “Ian should be available for Watford.
“Ian had a long period without a team and this can impact you, you can lose a week or two when you feel discomfort.
“He is in this period at the moment, he needs one or two weeks and maybe one or two good performances on the pitch just to create that feeling of confidence. I am confident in him.”
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Ian Poveda could burst into life for Sunderland at any time
Like Le Bris says, with Poveda having not had a club for a long period over the summer, and having injury issues as it is, he’ll need time.
Fans knew it would take time before he got up to speed, but it looks as though he’s finally getting there, and now it’s a case of showing fans what he’s all about.
He’s well-known to be a player with great technical ability. He’s got that spark that can really change games in the Championship, and he could quickly become a key player for the Black Cats.
Once Poveda gets up and running, plays a few games and gets into the groove of things, he could really start to blossom.