Sunderland have now been gifted a big injury boost involving Alex Pritchard before they play Shrewsbury Town at home in League One on Friday night.
The Lowdown: Injury setback for Pritchard
After returning in the 1-0 win at home to Gillingham earlier this month, the 28-year-old was unable to play against Oxford United, meaning that he has only featured once in the Black Cats’ last five league games.
Nonetheless, the Stadium of Light faithful will be hoping that his injury is nothing too serious and that he will be able to return on Friday.
The Latest: Pritchard should be okay
Alex Neil has now given an update on Pritchard’s fitness status, which has been shared on the Wearside club’s official Twitter feed.
The manager revealed: “He just wasn’t quite ready – his calf wasn’t feeling quite right, but hopefully he should be okay to face Shrewsbury.”
The Verdict: Big boost for Sunderland
If Pritchard is available for the match on Friday, then it will certainly be a big boost for Sunderland.
Before his injury, he was a mainstay in the team, having already managed four goals and 12 assists from midfield across all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt).
Pritchard currently ranks joint-fourth in terms of the Black Cats’ best-performing players in the league this term, having picked up three Man of the Match (MotM) awards, the second-most behind Ross Stewart with 12 (WhoScored).
He also ranks highly amongst his team-mates in terms of average shots, key passes, crosses and through balls per game (WhoScored), and he is very much the creative hub in the side.
Pritchard’s return would surely be welcomed by the home supporters at the Stadium of Light.
In other news, Neil thinks that this Sunderland player gets a ‘hard time’