Sunderland have received a huge injury boost after Regis Le Bris confirmed that midfielder Salis Abdul Samed will be fit by the end of the month.
The 24-year-old signed for the Black Cats from Ligue 1 outfit RC Lens on a season-long loan in the summer. However, he arrived with a muscle injury which kept him sidelined throughout the opening few months of the season. He then suffered a setback which was thought to rule him out until the New Year. As such, Samed has not yet featured for the Wearsiders.
Despite that, Sunderland have enjoyed an excellent first half of the campaign. Their early season form saw them top the Championship and although they suffered a winless run of six games throughout November, they have recovered in recent weeks to keep themselves firmly in the automatic promotion hunt.
Samed To Return By The End Of The Month
The Ghana international was thought to be a smart signing and one that would bolster Sunderland’s midfield. Speaking in August, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman revealed his excitement at Samed’s arrival:
“He’s a defensive midfield player, who is disciplined in and out of possession. He is a different profile within our midfield, and we believe he will relish the battles that come with playing in a league like the Sky Bet Championship. Salis’ experiences in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League will stand him in good stead, as we support him in transitioning to English football.”
It hasn’t quite worked out, but with the business end of the season approaching, is set to return to the squad. Via Sunderland AFC News, Le Bris confirmed his imminent reintegration to training:
“We hope that he is very close to returning to training…he was out for four to five months.
“He is in a good place now. He should be back at the end of December.”
Writer’s View
This is a huge boost for Sunderland and one that will stand them in good stead for the New Year. With the January transfer window set to open, Samed’s return can be treated like a new signing in itself, especially because he is yet to feature for the club. Having a player that has played at the top level in France and in the Champions League is a fantastic option to have and will only aid their push for promotion.
