“He didnt feature because…….” Sunderland Headcoach finally reveal why the BLACK CATS new signing was absent against Preston Amid disagree with injury claim.
Sunderland fielded an entirely new starting lineup compared to their recent victory over Cardiff City. This gave fringe players a chance to prove their worth for future first-team selection. However, most failed to make a significant impact, with only Chris Rigg and Romaine Mundle showing promise.
Abdoullah Ba’s performance was particularly disappointing, as he missed a clear opportunity in the first half. This may further reduce his chances of selection, especially with the arrival of Ian Poveda on a free transfer. Despite joining the team, Poveda has yet to make his debut and was absent from the squad that traveled to Deepdale.
Poveda’s debut could come soon, potentially against Sheffield Wednesday this weekend or Burnley the following week, according to coach Regis Le Bris. Journalist Michael Graham suggests that the club is being cautious with Poveda due to his injury history, ensuring he’s fully prepared before playing.
Given Poveda’s limited playing time last season and lack of preseason minutes, Sunderland’s cautious approach is understandable. The team’s depth in his position, particularly with Patrick Roberts’ strong preseason performance, allows them to ease Poveda into the squad gradually.
While Poveda could be a valuable addition to Sunderland, the team can manage without him for now. When he does join the matchday squad, he’ll be expected to perform at his best. However, he may face competition for playing time if Roberts continues his good form, as demonstrated by his assist in the recent match against Cardiff.