AliousThe road to first-team football has been outlined for a Sunderland prospect making strides in his injury recovery.
With injuries impacting key players, Sunderland’s attacking depth has been severely tested, further compounded by Aaron Connolly’s recent departure to Millwall. Regis Le Bris has been navigating these challenges while also planning for the return of sidelined talents like Tommy Watson and Romaine Mundle. Additionally, Ian Poveda’s ongoing fitness struggles have further limited options in the final third.
Among the absentees is summer signing Ahmed Abdullahi, who has yet to make his Sunderland debut due to a long-term injury. However, the 20-year-old Nigerian forward appears to be on the verge of a breakthrough, as Le Bris has mapped out a clear strategy to integrate him into the squad.
### Le Bris Lays Out Ahmed Abdullahi’s Path to First-Team Football
Le Bris has expressed his eagerness to see Abdullahi return to action, emphasizing a phased approach to ease him back into competitive football. The striker, who arrived at Sunderland with an injury, has now completed two weeks of full training and is set to feature for the U21s as part of his rehabilitation process.
Speaking to *The Northern Echo*, Le Bris explained:
> “It’s challenging because he had surgery, which is different from a muscle injury. But he’s been training fully for two weeks now, and we plan to give him game time with the U21s soon. This step is crucial because it’s hard to fully gauge a young player’s potential just from training.
> “He has shown promising qualities—he’s a strong striker with excellent physicality and looks like a good finisher. However, he lacks the experience of someone like Salis [Abdul Samed]. Once he starts playing games, we’ll be able to determine how quickly he can adapt to the first team.”
### Patience Key for Abdullahi’s Development
Sunderland fans have seen the club excel in nurturing young talents, with standout performances from the likes of Jobe Bellingham and Adil Aouchiche. While excitement surrounds Abdullahi’s potential, Le Bris has cautioned that the striker will need time to develop fully.
Returning from a lengthy injury layoff is a daunting task for any player, particularly for a young prospect entering an unfamiliar league. Abdullahi’s recovery and adaptation will require patience from both Le Bris and Sunderland supporters.
Described by Le Bris as “quick and strong,” Abdullahi has the attributes to make an impact at Sunderland. However, his journey back to fitness and form must be managed carefully to ensure he fulfills his potential as a valuable asset for the Black Cats.
Alious
