After spending two months away from Sunderland’s first team, Aji Alese announced that “getting back out there is what I’ve been working for.” The 23-year-old defender played 90 minutes for the U21s against Huddersfield Town last week, a match the red and whites won 4-2. He then entered the game as a 66th-minute replacement in the 0-0 draw with Bristol City.
And he [contributed to maintaining a clean sheet despite his frustration—like that of everyone associated with the club—about losing.Alese made 24 senior appearances in his maiden Wearside Championship campaign after joining the Black Cats in 2022 from West Ham United.
He has only had a little role this season due to injury setbacks, the most recent of which was a thigh issue.
“Yeah, I feel good, my training has gone well, and now I just need to keep working hard.”
Alese said after Sunderland wasted numerous opportunities, “It was frustrating, especially watching from the side in the first half.”
We also had some opportunities when I entered the game. We will win games if we can just convert possession into favorable locations and scoring opportunities.
“It’s that simple: if we put those chances away, we will win games. We’ve kept a clean sheet and created them.”
Alese is hoping to start for the Black Cats against Leeds United tonight, as he is predicted to start ahead of the heavily criticized Leo Hjelde:
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