Tony Mowbray believes Niall Huggins could be an important player for Sunderland this season.
Speaking to The Northern Echo, the Black Cats boss clained Huggins could be a ‘bonus ball’ for the club after the defender spent most of his first two years on Wearside sidelined through injury.
Huggins joined Sunderland on a free transfer from Leeds United in August 2021 but has since been plagued with injury problems, with the full-back only managing four appearances in all competitions last season.
Huggins has featured eight times for Sunderland since arriving at the club but is now fit and ready after playing for the first 45 minutes of the Black Cats’ pre-season win over San Antonio at the weekend.
With Sunderland still recovering from a major injury crisis to their backline, Huggins’ return could prove to be a huge boost for the club.
“Niall is a bonus ball for us,” Mowbray said. “He’s a good footballer, very athletic, very versatile, very confident with the ball at his feet.
“I’m really pleased for Niall. He has to prove his robustness throughout the season and play games and be available to play games, and he has to try and force his way into the team, but he’s a really positive asset for the football club.”
Niall Huggins will have to do a lot to force his way into the Sunderland starting line-up
Despite having the likes of Dan Ballard, Aji Alese and Niall Huggins all sidelined for large chunks of last season, Sunderland’s defence was actually highly praised as they reached the Championship play-offs.
A number of their defenders – makeshift or not – really impressed and there will be huge competition between the players as to who will be named in the starting line-up against Ipswich Town next month.
Huggins will have a bit of a disadvantage as he has rarely even trained under Tony Mowbray and he will have a lot of work to do to force his way into the manager’s plans.
However, the 22-year-old has played on both sides of the backline for Sunderland and his versatility could certainly increase his appearances next season.