According to the Chronicle Live, it is anticipated that Sunderland’s playmaker, Alex Pritchard, will make his return to the team following the international break. Sunderland has been missing his presence in their last two Championship matches against Watford and Middlesbrough, with the latter resulting in a 4-0 defeat.
Pritchard, who is 30 years old, has been sidelined due to a calf strain, with his last appearance dating back to late last month when Sunderland played against Sheffield Wednesday. There is hope that he will be “available” for their upcoming match against Stoke City on Saturday, October 21st, as he was reportedly close to making the squad for the recent game against Middlesbrough.
Pritchard’s return will be a significant boost for Sunderland as they prepare to face Stoke City, as he adds valuable experience and quality to their young squad. Sunderland signed him in 2021 when they were in League One, and since then, he has made 97 appearances in all competitions, scoring eight goals, four of which came in the previous season.
In his first year with Sunderland, Pritchard played a key role in helping the club secure promotion from the third tier. He also contributed to their playoff run in the last campaign under the management of Tony Mowbray. Before joining Sunderland, he had stints with Tottenham Hotspur, Norwich City, and Huddersfield Town. His contract with Sunderland is set to expire in June 2024, putting him in the final year of his current deal.
Sunderland, led by Mowbray, currently occupies the 4th position in the table, having accumulated 19 points from their first 11 games. They are trailing the top two teams by nine points. The recent loss to Middlesbrough was a setback, and they will be eager to make a strong comeback when they face Stoke after the international break.