Habib Diarra
Sunderland midfielder Habib Diarra has returned to the club following his successful stint at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Senegal. Diarra, who joined Sunderland from RC Strasbourg for around £30 million during the summer transfer window, had an impressive start to the Premier League season before a groin injury sidelined him from September to December. After recovering from surgery, he made a brief return in a match against Brighton and Hove Albion before heading to AFCON, where he played a crucial role in Senegal’s title victory. With Diarra back in training, Sunderland manager Le Bris provided an update on his status ahead of the weekend clash against West Ham.
Le Bris said: “Yeah, they are back training. Habib only returned to training today, so the check-up is still ongoing. I hope that they could be available for the next fixture.”
Diarra’s return has sparked discussions about his role in the team, given the strong performances by Sunderland in his absence. Black Cats legend Kevin Phillips shared his thoughts on Diarra’s situation, emphasizing the competition he faces to regain his spot in the starting lineup.
Kevin Phillips said: “I would say he will struggle to get back into the team at the moment. But he’s not a bad player to have back up. He’s a club record signing at £30 million. He’s only made, I think, five appearances. So, he’ll need to fight his way back into the team. It’s down to him to keep his place, but he’s clearly got talent, so he’s an excellent backup for Le Fée. At the minute he’s just gonna have to be patient.”
Further commentary came from former Sunderland defender Darren Williams, who also questioned whether Diarra would immediately reclaim his place in the starting XI.
Darren Williams said: “Now, you look at it and the guys have done well over the period of time that Diarra has been at the AFCON. For me, I don’t think Regis will – I’m not saying he won’t, but I don’t think he will. I think that, like I say, the lads have done well enough to earn their spot at this moment in time. But it’s a nice headache to have, let’s be honest. It’s nice to have the lads back and it just bolsters the squad up for the back end of the season.”
Diarra’s return to Sunderland adds depth to the squad as they approach the latter stages of the season. While his immediate involvement remains uncertain, his presence provides manager Le Bris with valuable options. The midfielder’s journey from injury recovery to international success highlights his resilience and potential impact on Sunderland’s campaign.
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