Sunderland AFC could have Aje Alese and Ahmed Abdullahi ready for selection when they face Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium next Saturday.
The Black Cats secured their place at the national stadium with a late header from Northern Ireland star Dom Ballard, sending the Stadium of Light into raptures.
According to the Sunderland Echo, the Mackems could be in for a double injury boost, potentially strengthening their roster ahead of the impending confrontation against Sheffield United in football’s wealthiest game.
It has been stated that both Abdullahi and Alese are close to returning to full fitness, and while it appears improbable, both might be available for selection at Wembley Stadium if Regis Le Bris calls upon them.
Sunderland’s Aje Alese and Ahmed Abdullahi had a positive injury update.
Both of the aforementioned players have had a difficult road back to fitness, having been sidelined for extended periods of time due to injury.
Alese sustained a broken leg and hand injury in a third-round FA Cup match against Stoke City in January, but the Sunderland Echo reports that the former West Ham United prospect is making more progress than expected in his recuperation.
If he properly trains next week, he may be reinstated in the matchday squad.
| Ahmed Abdullahi – Career stats via Transfermarkt (As of 16th May 2025) | ||
| Club | Apps | Goals |
| Jong Gent | 38 | 21 |
| Gent | 2 | 0 |
| Sunderland | 0 | 0 |
Abdullahi is yet to make his Sunderland debut after signing from Gent on the summer deadline in 2024. After spent the entire season on the sidelines recovering from a groin ailment, the Nigerian recently suffered a concussion, setting him back ahead of the play-off semifinals.
However, recent sources indicate that the 20-year-old has resumed full training ahead of the opening match against Coventry City.
While his participation in the final is uncertain, it’s encouraging to see Abdullahi back in training. The report also indicated that defender Niall Huggins has resumed full training but is unlikely to play at Wembley. Winger Ian Poveda has also failed to return to training, therefore he will miss the final.
Abdullahi has become a forgotten guy in the Stadium of Light.
With a remarkable season on the pitch, it’s fair to say Abdullahi has become something of a forgotten man on Wearside as a result of his sad injury.
Sunderland has been unlucky in terms of signing strikers this season, with not just Abdullahi failing to make a single professional game for the Black Cats.
Jayden Danns, the club’s winter acquisition, will never wear the red and white stripes after suffering an injury shortly after joining.
Despite the concussion setback, the most recent update on Abdullahi’s fitness is good news for Sunderland supporters. It will be beneficial for Le Bris to have the 20-year-old ready for pre-season so that he can examine him before deciding whether to keep or loan the attacker.
On his way back from injury, the former Gent player demonstrated his great goal-scoring ability for Sunderland’s under-21s team, and he will undoubtedly hope to translate that into senior action next season.
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