The Sunderland attacker has stepped up his recovery at the Academy of Light after a recent muscle injury
Sunderland have been handed a timely injury boost after £17.5million attacker Nilson Angulo was pictured back in training at the Academy of Light.
The 22-year-old has been sidelined with a muscle tear after suffering the issue in the build-up to Sunderland’s 1-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion on March 14. Head coach Régis Le Bris initially suggested the winger could be out for between four and six weeks, and he subsequently missed the Tyne-Wear derby defeat at Newcastle United.
However, fresh images posted on social media show Angulo stepping up his recovery on the training pitch, raising hopes he could return before the end of the campaign. While his return to training is a clear positive for Sunderland, it remains unlikely he will be available for this weekend’s clash against Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadium of Light.
Angulo was named in Ecuador’s provisional squad for recent international friendlies against Morocco and the Netherlands, but was withdrawn in order to continue his rehabilitation on Wearside following the injury. Ecuador head coach Sebastián Beccacece confirmed the decision during the two-week international break, revealing that Angulo will leave the camp early to focus on his recovery.
The Sunderland forward departed the Ecuador set-up alongside midfielder Patrik Mercado before returning to England, with Beccacece describing both absences as significant losses for his squad. For Sunderland, though, Angulo’s return to the training pitches represents a welcome development as they prepare for the final stretch of the Premier League season after his £17.5million move to Wearside in January.
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