Sunderland captain Corry Evans is closing in on a return following a near one year absence with an anterior cruciate ligament, the midfielder has revealed.
The 33-year-old suffered the serious injury during a 2-0 win over rivals Middlesbrough in January. The Black Cats responded to the news by granting the Northern Ireland international a one-year contract extension, which is due to expire at the end of the current campaign.
Evans signed for the Wearside outfit in 2021 and played a pivotal role in their League One promotion-winning season. He was also an ever-present in their return to the Championship last season before he was ruled out for up to a year. Tony Mowbray’s side continued to impress in his absence though, reaching the play-offs before exiting at the semi-final stage with a two-legged defeat against Luton Town.
This season has continued in a similar vein, with yesterday’s win over Birmingham City sending Sunderland back into the play-off places. They are expected to maintain their promotion push, despite the league being arguably harder than it ever has been.
Evans’ return would add further depth to the manager’s squad during the business end of the season, and the former Manchester United youngster has confirmed that he is nearing a return to fitness and expects to resume training in the coming weeks. Speaking to the Sunderland Echo, he said;
“The injury is going well. I’m on track. It has been a rough 9-12 month injury, that was the range of time I was given.
“I think I’m about nine-ish months in now, so hopefully back training in about five or six weeks.”
Watching from the sidelines has been tough for the former Blackburn Rovers star, although he has enjoyed what he has been seeing;
“I think we have got a really good squad. We have built on it from last season.
“The players from last season have got another year’s experience now under their belt in the Championship and I think they have started really well and really positive this year.
“It has been hard, personally, to watch on the sidelines but it has been enjoyable at the same time as well because of the football we have been playing.”
Sunderland will resume their Championship campaign after the international break with a trip to Plymouth Argyle on November 25th.
Writer’s View
It’s fair to say that Sunderland haven’t struggled in Corry Evans’ absence, with Dan Neil and Jobe Bellingham deputising admirably. However, having his experience for the second half of the season will provide a huge boost, even though the likelihood is that he will have to be eased back in gently.
Mowbray is still targeting more signings in the New Year as he looks to achieve his aim of returning the club to the Premier League, but Evans could be just like a new arrival if he can return to full fitness.
