Omar Alderete concerns raised from Paraguay camp amid matter out of Sunderland’s hands
Omar Alderete remains a major doubt for Paraguay’s clash with the United States on Saturday due to a head injury sustained with Sunderland.
Alderete linked up with Paraguay this week for the friendlies with the USA on Saturday and Mexico in the early hours of Wednesday.
That is despite the fact Alderete has missed Sunderland’s past three games, which many believed would see him exempt from Paraguay’s latest camp.
The most recent of the games missed by the centre-back was Sunderland’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal last weekend, with Lutsharel Geertruida once again stepping up to fill the void.
But ahead of Paraguay’s game with USA, it remains unclear if Alderete will be cleared to play any part.
FIFA protocols blocking Omar Alderete from playing
Regis Le Bris expected Alderete to be available against Fulham when Fulham return to Premier League action on 22 November.
Whether the defender will get any minutes under his belt before then is another question entirely, however.
In a report by Paraguayan outlet Versus, it is stated that Alderete’s availability status is a “big question” for head coach Gustavo Alfaro.
Alderete is with the squad but, due to FIFA’s concussion protocols, he will have to be evaluated at the last moment.
This is a matter effectively out of Sunderland’s hands, and it is down to whether or not he passes the various tests as to whether he can feature against USA.
If he is unable to feature this weekend, there is then that midweek clash with Mexico a few days later.
Regis Le Bris will selfishly hope for early Alderete return
The fact Paraguay are playing a friendly with Mexico in the early hours of Wednesday morning is far from ideal for Sunderland and manager Le Bris.
Sunderland face Fulham in London on Saturday at 3pm, giving Alderete very limited time to get back and ready for the game.
That is the nature of international football, of course, and Sunderland fans will already have a collective headache as a number of players soon head of for Africa Cup of Nations duty.
| Alderete | 2025-26 PL |
| Games | 7 |
| Starts | 6 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Pass-completion percentage | 85 |
It goes without saying Le Bris will want Alderete and the rest of his players back fit and well for next weekend.
But Alderete’s wellbeing is the main priority right now, and he must first overcome these rather strict concussions protocols if he is to have any chance of returning for Sunderland at Craven Cottage.
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