Sunderland fitness boost as Ian Poveda features for Under-21s
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has been given a welcome fitness boost as Ian Poveda featured for the Under-21s on Monday (19 August).
The summer signing has yet to play for the senior side due to injury but was deemed fit enough to start the match against Newcastle United.
Poveda played the opening 45 minutes of the Premier League 2 contest at the Northumberland FA, which finished in a 1-1 draw, as confirmed by the club’s official website [19 August].
Ian Poveda closing in on first-team action
The signing of Poveda earlier in the summer transfer window was a coup of sorts as a number of Championship teams were after him.
Poveda’s Leeds United career never truly took off and he opted for pastures new on the back of last season, with Sunderland winning the race.
However, the 24-year-old has been struggling with an injury that has prevented him from featuring yet in the senior side this season.
With 45 minutes under his belt in this U21s match, the hope is that Poveda is now close to being in contention for Le Bris.
It may well be that he first features again for the age-grade side, but he will certainly provide something a little different when back in senior contention.
For now, it is a case of remaining patient and ensuring Colombia international Poveda does not suffer any unnecessary setbacks.
In other Sunderland news, Ally McCoist has been blown away by the “brilliant” Black Cats.
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