One Sunderland player in particular may struggle for gametime in the coming weeks, and even months.
Sunderland now have a very well-stocked and balanced first-team squad, which isn’t something that can often be said.
Since their return to the Premier League, Sunderland’s team has lacked proper depth and quality, and has often been plagued by injuries as well.
Now though, following a strong summer transfer haul, Regis Le Bris has a good squad to work with, and the results are showing.
After a 2-2 draw with Leeds United in their last outing, Sunderland now sit in 1st place of the Championship table for this month’s international break.
The Black Cats return to action against Hull City later this month and it could be an emotion debut for Aaron Connolly.
He’s imminent inclusion will further bolster Le Bris’ ranks at Sunderland. And we could also see the inclusion of Salis Abdul Samed in the coming weeks.
The deadline day loan signing from Will Still’s RC Lens is yet to feature owing to injury.
When will Salis Abdul Samed make his Sunderland debut
Samed, 24, was one of four names to arrive at the Stadium of Light on deadline. But similarly to Milan Aleksic and Ahmed Abdullahi, Samed is yet to debut.
Le Bris previously said that Samed was out for up to 10 days. But that was nearly a month ago.
Latest suggestions say that Samed’s potential availability remains unclear despite it previously being suggested that he’ll be ready for action this month.
Sunderland Echo say that the Black Cats are taking a cautious approach with Samed, who’s yet to feature with the U21s, which is a usual approach the club takes with injured players.
- READ MORE: Sunderland man enduring nightmare season with loan club, he can’t get anywhere near the XI
Why Salis Abdul Samed faces uphill battle for game-time
Not only does Samed have to try and break into a Sunderland team that’s performing perfectly well without him, but he has to try and break into a midfield that’s very well-stocked.
Le Bris has the likes of Chris Rigg, Dan Neil and Jobe Bellingham at his disposal, and then Aleksic to eventually bed in as well.
And with Samed being a loan player, there’ll surely be more onus on Le Bris to play his permanent players, rather than someone like Samed who likely won’t be at the club beyond this season.
When Samed eventually comes to fitness, it’ll be a real struggle to get anywhere near this current Sunderland XI.