Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris faces a selection dilemma involving Jobe Bellingham and one summer signing.
Le Bris clearly likes to play Bellingham alongside Dan Neil in a double pivot, with Chris Rigg further forward as a number 10.
Despite the Black Cats’ recent poor form, the trio have worked well together and there is no immediate need to make a change.
But the situation could be different after one midfielder, who has yet to play since moving to the Northeast in August, returns from injury.
Why Regis Le Bris may have to drop Jobe Bellingham
Salis Abdul Samed signed for Sunderland on loan from RC Lens in the summer but has been sidelined through injury ever since.
Samed was only supposed to be out for 10 days but suffered a setback in his recovery which has significantly delayed his return.
There is optimism that he shouldn’t be absent for much longer, with fans and media now discussing how he can help the team.
Indeed, French football expert Jeremy Smith believes Samed can offer plenty to Le Bris’ side as long as he has a midfield partner similar to ex-Lens star Seko Fofana.
“[Seko] Fofana was fantastic as a box-to-box midfielder with a big emphasis on pushing forward and supporting the attack,” Smith told Founded1879.
“He was able to do that in part because Samed played as the sitter, disciplined enough to stay in front of the defence, provide cover when the ball was lost, press hard to win the ball back and then give it to Fofana and others to do the business at the other end of the pitch.
“As he finally plays after a longish break and becomes acclimatised to the speed of English football, he may need a little more guidance and support in midfield so perhaps [Dan] Neil’s slight advantage in terms of experience and tactical discipline might be a better fit [than Bellingham] to start with.”
Of course, Bellingham could play as an attacking midfielder but that would mean leaving out Rigg instead.
Sunderland need Salis Abdul Samed to step up
Whether Abdul Samed has a place in Le Bris’ starting lineup or not, Sunderland really need him to step up in the second half of the season.
The Black Cats are short of central midfielders, especially defensive-minded ones, so he should receive plenty of game time.
In particular, Samed could be useful to Le Bris when seeing out games. He could either replace Bellingham or join him in a midfield three to provide more protection to the backline.
Given Sunderland’s struggles in front of goal, the ability to grind out results is likely to be the difference between promotion and disappointment.