One Sunderland man could quickly become a forgotten one, as players make their way back to fitness.
Sunderland and injuries have gone hand in hand since the Black Cats’ return to the Championship in 2022.
Right now, the injury list is somewhat mild for Sunderland, with many absences concentrated in the defensive rank.
Regis Le Bris is currently without defenders Aji Alese, Jenson Seelt, and Niall Huggins, with Salis Abdul Samed coming back from injury, Eliezer Mayenda available again, and Ahmed Abdullahi injured for a while longer.
This week, Huggins signed a new Sunderland contract despite having been sidelined since last December, extending his stay at the Stadium of Light until 2026.
With Alese and Seelt expected back by the end of the year, Sunderland’s defensive options will quickly increase, and one man could fall right out of favour.
Leo Hjelde facing uncertain Sunderland future
Leo Hjelde joined Sunderland in January this year, signing on a permanent deal from Leeds United.
The Norwegian U21s man started well. But he quickly fell out of form, managing 11 total Championship appearances in the second half of last season.
Hjelde, 21, is yet to feature in the Championship this season, playing in just the Carabao Cup defeat against Preston in which a young defence was particularly exposed.
Able to play on the left and in the middle of defence, Hjelde may not even make the bench when Alese and Seelt return to action, and so the former Leeds man’s Sunderland future seems to be up in the air after less than a year with the club.
Le Bris wants January signings at Sunderland in the New Year. If the Black Cats need money, Kristjaan Speakman may view Hjelde as potential deadwood, and one he could put up for sale.
How long does Leo Hjelde have left on his Sunderland contract?
Sunderland, who reportedly paid around the £1million mark for Hjelde, hand out some lengthy contracts to their young stars, and much to their credit.
They did with Hjelde, handing him a four-and-a-half year deal when he signed at the start of this year, meaning that he’s under contract until the summer of 2028.
What are Leo Hjelde’s wages at Sunderland?
Per Capology, Dan Ballard is the highest-earning player at Sunderland, bringing home £25,000-a-week.
And per the same source, Hjelde earns £5,000-a-week at the Stadium of Light, making him one of the lowest-earning first-team players at the club, on the same amount as Jewison Bennette and Romaine Mundle.