As Salis Abdul Samed attempts to make a name for himself at Sunderland, REGIS LE BRIS acknowledges that he is still far from his best.
After playing in the Champions League and Ligue 1 with Lens and earning 19 senior international caps with Ghana, Samed came to the Black Cats last summer with a solid reputation.
However, the 24-year-old had to endure a protracted rehabilitation process after suffering a recurrence of a muscular injury shortly after completing his move to Wearside, which kept him out of action for about six months.
He made his Sunderland debut as a substitute in January’s FA Cup defeat to Stoke City, making a blunder that allowed the Potters to win in extra time, and has since made six more appearances, two as a starter and four as a substitute.
He has yet to fully strike the eye in a red-and-white shirt, and while Le Bris expects him to be a key player in the final two-and-a-half months of the season, he also admits that the midfielder is still looking for his best form.
“He’s not at his best, for sure,” Le Bris said. “I am sure, after six months out, it is still tough for him to find the proper confidence, the correct references, and feel comfortable with the others.
“I’m hoping he will gradually add these layers, but there will be more competition in midfield now that other players are returning. That benefits the team and ought to benefit Salis as well. It ought to assist him in determining his peak performance.
Samed’s primary role at Sunderland has been deep-lying central midfield in front of the back four, despite the fact that he was signed primarily as a defensive midfielder.
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