Liverpool loanee Jayden Danns has endured a frustrating few months after sealing a temporary switch to Sunderland in January, failing to make a single appearance for the Black Cats
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Liverpool's Jayden Danns celebrates after scoring a goal for the team
Jayden Danns is yet to play for Sunderland despite signing for the club on transfer deadline day
(Image: AP Photo/Jon Super)
Liverpool's young striker Jayden Danns is facing a tough time in the latter part of the season, with the latest injury update being less than encouraging. Danns made a mid-season loan move to Sunderland.
The decision by Liverpool's Arne Slot to let him go was seen as somewhat risky at the time, especially with Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez's ongoing struggles. The chance for Danns to get some valuable game time during the Championship's critical stages seemed like a smart move.
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However, things haven't gone to plan for Danns, who has been unable to make his mark. An injury was discovered during the transfer process, leading to the decision for him to continue his recovery back at Liverpool.
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Now, with only a few matches remaining in the Championship, he hasn't even started training with Sunderland. The club's commitment to the deal, despite the injury doubts, shows their belief in Danns' potential. The hope was that the talent from Anfield would be match-fit to contribute by this stage.
Yet, Sunderland's manager Regis Le Bris has signalled that time is running out for Danns to have any significant involvement. While he dismissed the idea that Sunderland are ready to "admit defeat," he acknowledged that Danns is up against the clock to make an impact.
"We are not at this point right now but the season is running so it will be difficult," Le Bris said, as reported by the Northern Echo. "We don't know exactly."
The back injury that's been troubling Danns since pre-season continues to cast a shadow over his promising start under Jurgen Klopp. At just 19, there's hope he'll overcome this setback for the long haul, yet it has undoubtedly affected his entire season.
With eight matches remaining in the Championship's regular season, time hasn't run out for Danns to stage a comeback and leave his mark on Sunderland's campaign. The Black Cats seem destined for the play-offs, sitting comfortably away from both the automatic promotion spots and seventh place.
The play-off final is set for May 24, giving Danns nearly two months to reach match fitness.
However, reintegrating a forward who has barely trained with the Sunderland squad into the lineup would be a bold move, especially when Wilson Isidor has been delivering up front, scoring 12 goals in 35 games. Notably, Sunderland have outscored rivals Sheffield United and Burnley, who are vying for promotion.
While the Liverpool forward can still hope for a dream end to the season, it seems more probable that he'll have to chalk this season up as a bit of a nightmare. At the very least, let's hope he can regain his fitness in time for pre-season, where he will aim to persuade Slot not to transfer him elsewhere.