Niall Huggins well placed to be fit to start first Sunderland game next season
Sunderland defender Niall Huggins does appear to be on the right track with his recovery from a long-term injury.
The 24-year-old has missed the entire 2024/25 season due to a significant knee injury and he has not played since late 2023.
However, Regis Le Bris issued a positive update on the full-back as he’s in the final phase of his recovery.
Huggins appears to be on the right track, but behind-the-scenes work needed
To ensure Huggins returns to full fitness and is ready to start the first game of the 2025/26 season, Sunderland must implement a meticulous, phased rehabilitation and conditioning program tailored to his needs after over 12 months sidelined by injury.
The 24-year-old full-back, who has been training with the squad during their Portugal camp, requires a structured approach to rebuild his physical and mental resilience.
Recently, Le Bris said about his return: “It’s still early, because I think he missed more or less 12 months, so it’s really massive.
“He trained really well in Portugal, so I was happy for him. I think because of the intensity it’s still difficult to maintain the level after so long out.
“He showed in Portugal he can reach a high level, now the question is consistency. You need experiences, you need time, you need to play games, and that’s not been the case for a while for Niall.”
| Sunderland stats | Niall Huggins |
| Appearances | 28 |
| Minutes played | 1869 |
| Goals | 1 |
The Black Cats’ medical and fitness staff should continue a progressive training regimen, gradually increasing the intensity and duration of sessions to avoid re-injury ahead of a season, potentially in the Premier League.
This includes integrating Huggins into small-sided games and controlled match simulations to restore his match sharpness and tactical awareness.
Regular assessments will help monitor his workload and ensure he meets key performance markers, such as sprint speed and endurance, without overloading his body.
Additionally, a personalised strength and conditioning program focusing on lower-body stability and agility will be crucial to regain his dynamic playing style.
Sunderland must also provide endless psychological support to help Huggins recover
Psychological support is equally vital and Huggins’ positive attitude, as noted by Le Bris, should be nurtured through regular consultations with sports psychologists to maintain confidence and manage the mental toll of a long recovery.
Sunderland should also leverage the pre-season period, scheduling friendly matches to provide the defender with incremental game time, allowing him to adapt to competitive scenarios.
His contract extension offers stability, enabling him to focus solely on recovery without external pressures.
Collaboration between Le Bris, the medical team and Huggins will be essential to set realistic milestones, ensuring he achieves consistent performance levels.
By prioritising gradual progression, data-driven monitoring and holistic support, Sunderland can position Huggins to reclaim his versatility and energy in the starting lineup for the season opener, fully prepared for the Championship’s demands.