SUNDERLAND manager Regis Le Bris has mentioned that Habib Diarra could return to the squad for the match against Brighton on Saturday. The midfielder has been out since September due to a groin injury but has been included in the Senegal squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, which starts this month.
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Le Bris said if Diarra doesn't face any setbacks, he will travel to Morocco for the tournament.
"HE might be with us for Brighton," Le Bris said.
"That will be the end of his rehab process. If everything goes well, he will be able to join his national team."
Sunderland has already lost several players to the tournament, including Arthur Masuaku, Noah Sadiki, Reinildo, Chemsdine Talbi, and Bertrand Traore.
However, Simon Adingra wasn't called up to the Ivory Coast squad and will stay with the Black Cats.
"We'll have different opportunities for the players who haven't had much game time so far," Le Bris said on losing players to AFCON.
"We don't have any injuries at the moment, which is really positive, and we hope it will stay that way for this period. The team will be a bit different, but I think for the players with less game time, they knew this period was coming and they are ready because they trained properly, they are well connected with the squad, and now we'll see."