Alious
Aji Alese has been handed another devastating injury blow, with the Sunderland defender sidelined for the remainder of the campaign after suffering a serious groin tear during his loan spell at Portsmouth F.C..
The 25-year-old centre-back sustained the injury shortly after being introduced from the bench in Portsmouth’s defeat to Preston North End F.C. last weekend. It was meant to mark a fresh beginning following his January switch from Sunderland A.F.C., but his return to competitive action lasted only minutes before disaster struck.
Portsmouth boss John Mousinho confirmed the severity of the setback after Saturday’s loss to Sheffield United F.C., revealing that Alese had torn his groin and is now expected to miss the rest of the season. Mousinho admitted there had been awareness of the risks involved, given the defender’s lengthy spell without regular football, but the club had hoped to carefully reintegrate him into action.
Instead, the move has backfired in cruel fashion.
Another Bitter Chapter in a Difficult Spell
For Alese, the news compounds an already frustrating period. He had not featured for Sunderland in over a year due to a serious shoulder injury, having previously endured a long layoff following a broken leg in January 2025. The loan move to Fratton Park was intended to offer valuable game time and a chance to rebuild momentum after months of rehabilitation.
Tragically, that comeback has been cut short almost as soon as it began.
Since joining Sunderland from West Ham United F.C. in July 2022, Alese has made 31 appearances for the Black Cats and scored once. Early displays highlighted his strength, composure, and adaptability across the defensive line, but recurring injuries have severely disrupted his progress.
Sunderland are now expected to closely oversee his rehabilitation at the Academy of Light as he focuses once again on recovery ahead of the summer.
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Reinildo Mandava Rallies Sunderland for Historic FA Cup Push
While Alese faces a long road back, teammate Reinildo Mandava has turned attention to Sunderland’s upcoming FA Cup fourth-round clash against Oxford United F.C..
The FA Cup remains a competition steeped in emotion on Wearside. Sunderland famously lifted the trophy in 1973 and have since reached the final in 1992 and the semi-finals in 2004. It is a tournament that continues to stir pride and ambition among supporters.
Mandava stressed that he fully understands the weight of that history. Having grown up watching English football, he acknowledged the prestige attached to the competition and the intensity expected at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium.
He also revealed that head coach Régis Le Bris has already underlined the importance of the tie to the squad—particularly given Sunderland’s defeat at the same venue last season.
Mandava made it clear the team intends to respond differently this time. He spoke of determination, preparation, and a collective desire to fight for the badge, insisting Sunderland will approach the contest ready to give everything in pursuit of progression.
With one defender ruled out for the season and silverware dreams still alive, Sunderland’s campaign now balances recovery and resilience — both on and off the pitch.
Alious
