Sunderland staff to sign off on Habib Diarra return as unexpected boost revealed for Newcastle clash
Habib Diarra is edging closer to making his return for Sunderland.
Sunderland signed Diarra from Strasbourg in the summer in a deal worth around £30million, a club-record fee for the Black Cats.
However, the Senegal international suffered an injury in training, just days after Sunderland’s goalless draw with Crystal Palace, which has kept him out of action since.
It was initially thought that Sunday’s clash with Newcastle would come too soon for Diarra, but the latest update suggests otherwise.
Habib Diarra back in full Sunderland training
Given that Diarra is Sunderland’s most expensive signing, to have lost his qualities so early into the season was a huge blow.
While the Black Cats have fared well without him, his return will be a big boost, and it could come as early as this weekend.
That is according to D Sports, who report that the midfielder is back in high-intensity training, and could be named in Sunderland’s squad for Sunday’s Wear-Tyne derby.
A source close to Diarra has stated that “everything is going well for him” and that he has aspirations of making the Senegal squad for the upcoming AFCON.
However, it’s also claimed that his return would require the medical staff at the Stadium of Light to give it the green light.
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Wayne Rooney is a big fan of Habib Diarra
Prior to his injury, Diarra showed plenty of promising signs at Sunderland, without being able to register a goal or an assist.
However, his movement on the ball and desire to work for the team were the two things that stood out from his first few displays, and that caught the eye of Wayne Rooney.
After Sunderland’s 3-0 win over West Ham on the opening day of the season, Rooney said via Match of the Day: “Diarra was a huge threat all game, his runs forward, his energy.
“There was a lot of energy about Sunderland in general all afternoon.”
Sunderland haven’t been short of energy in his absence, but his return will only add more to their already impressive midfield, and it appears as though that will happen sooner rather than later.
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