A forgotten Sunderland star has been pictured in first-team training, after 13 months on the sidelines.
Since returning to the Championship in 2022, Sunderland and injuries have gone hand in hand.
Right now, Jack Clarke is sidelined for Sunderland, who also have names like Aji Alese, Dennis Cirkin, Bradley Dack, Elliot Embleton, Niall Huggins, and Patrick Roberts out injured.
Another name currently injured is Corry Evans; the Black Cats skipper has been sidelined since January 2023 owing to an ACL injury sustained in a Championship clash vs Middlesbrough last season.
Corry Evans stepping up return to action for Sunderland
Earlier this month, it was revealed that Evans was training with the U21s following his period of rehabilitation.
This morning though, Sunderland posted a string of first-team training pictures, including one of Evans:
Evans, 33, joined Sunderland as a free agent during the 2021/22 season, reuniting with former Blackburn Rovers boss Tony Mowbray at the Stadium of Light.
The Northern Ireland international went on to feature 36 times in League One as Sunderland earned promotion to the Championship, then playing 24 times in the second tier before his injury.
A difficult period ahead for Evans
Sunderland fans will be delighted to see skipper Evans finally back in training and with a smile on his face.
It’s been a lengthy injury lay-off for the experienced midfielder, though with his contract set to expire this summer, one can’t help but feel he’ll become a free agent at the end of this season.
At 33, he simply doesn’t fit the Sunderland model anymore, though given his experience and his qualities in the middle of the pitch, he should have no trouble finding a new club.
Right now, he’ll be solely focused on building up his fitness and confidence ahead of a possible return later on this season.
With 12 games to go, Mike Dodds may yet be able to call upon Evans in the final weeks of the campaign, and to see Evans in a Sunderland shirt one last time would be a great moment for fans and everyone at the club.
Where he might end up remains to be seen; a top-end League One club or maybe even a Championship club could come calling for Evans in the summer, assuming that Sunderland do end up releasing him.
The Black Cats are back in action away at Norwich City this weekend, with kick off at 3pm.