Sunderland have got one key player set to return from injury in the coming weeks.
The Black Cats are gearing up for a home clash with Norwich City, where Regis Le Bris’ side will be hoping that they can get back to winning ways at the Stadium of Light following a 1-1 draw with Bristol City.
It will be a difficult task coming up against the Championship top scorers, however, it is expected that the damage from Sunderland will see them capitalise on the Canaries’ somewhat leaky defence.
Injuries have certainly hampered the potential of the Black Cats’ season, although they are still in a promotion push, with the likes of Romaine Mundle and Tommy Watson being two of the most recent absentees from the squad due to injury.
There have also been some midfield injuries, with one deadline day signing still yet to be sighted for the club, however, Le Bris has confirmed that he is moving ever closer to his highly-anticipated Black Cats debut.
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Regis Le Bris confirms Salis Abdul Samed return date for Sunderland
Sunderland signed holding-midfielder Salis Abdul Samed on loan in the summer, however, he is yet to notch a single minute in red & white due to injury woes.
However, he looks set to return to the squad soon, with Le Bris giving an estimation on when he should be back on the grass in his pre-match press conference: “We hope that he is very close to returning to training…he was out for four to five months.
“He is in a good place now. He should be back at the end of December.”
It was initially expected that he would return as late as January, however, his recovery appears to have been quicker than thought.
Salis Abdul Samed will revolutionise the Sunderland midfield on his return
The Black Cats have been solid in-the centre-of-the-park this season, but have certainly suffered at times due to a lack of depth within the squad.
Samed will certainly offer a well-needed boost to Le Bris in regards to options in that holding midfield slot, and the 24-year-old’s experience could certainly work wonders.
From notching 19 caps for Ghana at his age, to playing on six occasions in the Champions League with RC Lens, helping his side towards a win against Arsenal, it is clear that he could completely transform this midfield, sitting further back and adding stability, giving Black Cats midfielder Dan Neil the option to roam slightly further forward.