Abdullahi joined the [Black Cats](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/sunderland) last summer from Gent, but the 21-year-old arrived on Wearside nursing a serious groin issue and did not make a single senior appearance last term.
The Nigerian made a handful of Under-21 appearances towards the end of last season, but has been training with the senior squad in the early stages of pre-season training this summer.
He played the second half of Sunderland’s opening pre-season friendly at South Shields at the weekend and scored the final goal of his side’s 4-0 win as he latched onto a through ball from Eliezer Mayenda and rounded the goalkeeper before rolling home.
Given his inexperience, there is an argument that Abdullahi might benefit from a season out on loan. However, while Sunderland have already received offers for the youngster, Le Bris is not ruling out keeping him on Wearside for at least the first half of next season.
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Abdullahi is part of the senior squad that will spend this week in Portugal on a warm-weather training camp, and is set to feature in the Black Cats’ friendly double-header on the Algarve against Sevilla and Sporting.
“We weren't able to see Ahmed last season because of injury, but now he is ready to start and it means he can have a full pre-season,” said Le Bris. “We'll get to know the real Ahmed, now.
“He is still very young, so we don't know exactly what his potential is. It will be interesting to see him through a full pre-season.”
Le Bris is also looking forward to seeing Niall Huggins throughout the pre-season period, with the defender having returned from an 18-month injury absence when he lined up for the first half of Saturday’s win at Mariners Park.
Sunderland’s faith in Huggins was underlined when he was awarded a new contract shortly after suffering a serious knee injury, and Le Bris is hoping the defender can make his mark in the top-flight next season.
“Niall is ready to go,” he said. “It was possible for him right at the end of last season to play, but we decided because of the injury that it was best to be safe and for him to just to start this pre-season.”