'Nice headache' - Pundit claims Regis Le Bris could bench key talent for Sunderland clash vs West Ham
Sunderland record signing Habib Diarra has been away at the African Cup of Nations in recent weeks
Former Sunderland defender Darren Williams has admitted that he does not expect the club’s record signing Habib Diarra to make an immediate return to Regis Le Bris’ starting XI when he returns from international duty.
The midfielder has been away for the past month at the African Cup of Nations, helping Senegal to lift the trophy on Sunday night in dramatic circumstances. The Lions of Teranga saw of host nation Morocco courtesy of an extra time goal from Pape Gueye, but not before head coach Pape Thiaw had pulled his side from the pitch after disagreeing with a penalty decision in the dying seconds of regular time.
After the game eventually resumed, Brahim Diaz missed the resulting spot kick for Morocco, affording Diarra and his teammates the opportunity to decide the contest in their favour and lift their first AFCON title since 2021.
And while there are no concrete indications just yet as to whether Diarra will be back on Wearside in time to feature for Sunderland in their Premier League trip to West Ham on Saturday lunchtime, he is expected to play a significant role for the Black Cats over the remainder of the season.
What has former Sunderland defender Darren Williams said about Habib Diarra?
Speaking during an appearance on BBC Radio Newcastle’s Total Sport, Williams questioned whether Diarra can expect to walk straight into Le Bris’ first XI upon his return, whether that is against West Ham on Saturday or Burnley on February 2nd.
He 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.
“I'm not saying Diarra has lost his spot, but being away with the AFCON obviously it's created a space or somebody to step into, and I think if somebody comes in and does well, you're reluctant to take them back out of the team because it can have an effect on that player. 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.”
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Having completed a £30 million transfer from RC Strasbourg over the summer, Diarra made four appearances for Sunderland before sustaining a groin injury that required surgery. Since then, he has registered just one further outing - a cameo appearance in a 0-0 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion in December - and will be vying for a spot that in a Black Cats midfield that has been superbly occupied by the likes of Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, and Enzo Le Fée in his absence.
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