Regis Le Bris is looking forward to seeing what Ahmed Abdullahi can do in pre-season
Ahmed Abdullahi of Sunderland
Sunderland's Ahmed Abdullahi
Just whether striker Ahmed Abdullahi is capable of making an impact in the Premier League will be assessed in the next few weeks.
The Sunderland forward was brought to the club last season by head coach Regis Le Bris but never kicked a ball with the first team despite playing a handful of times with the U21s.
The Nigerian was unfit with an ongoing groin injury for the most part of the campaign but still has three years left on his current Sunderland deal.
The former Gent front man is still only 21 and played the second half of Sunderland’s opening pre-season friendly at South Shields at the weekend.
He scored the final goal of his side’s 4-0 win as he latched on to 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.
Ahmed Abdullahi of Sunderland in action against South Shields
Ahmed Abdullahi in action for Sunderland against South Shields
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,” Le Bris said after the South Shields game.
“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.”
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