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Duncan Watmore took a huge step towards recovery following a career defining anterior cruciate ligament injury by completing 90 minutes of football on Tuesday evening, but he will be unable to back up that performance with any further action on Friday evening.
What’s the word?
Jack Ross will have been delighted to welcome Watmore into Sunderland’s starting lineup against Blackpool – a fixture which saw him complete 90 minutes for the first time in more than two years.
However, the visit of Accrington Stanley has come too soon for the 24-year-old, as Ross revealed he will be absent at the Stadium of Light on Friday evening, per Sunderland’s official website.
“He won’t be involved tomorrow night, which is a blow for us because obviously his performance was so positive,” Ross said.
“The reality of his recovery is that it’s not possible for him to play two games in as quick succession as that – not that it will be the case for him indefinitely.
Long road to recovery
It’s hardly surprising that the attacker is unable to take part in the Black Cats’ clash with Accrington.
Players who are in prime physical condition are rarely at their best when they are forced to play two games in the space of three days, so the Sunderland man was always going to struggle to feature.
The road to recovery is long and arduous, but it’s important that the supporters stand by him during his recovery as it will naturally take plenty of time for him to rediscover his best form.
It’s unlikely that Watmore will discover anything close to top form until the 2019/20 campaign, but the fact Ross regards his absence as a “blow” suggests he believes he could still play a key role at the business end of the season.
