After months on the sidelines, Ghanaian midfielder Salis Abdul Samed is working his way back to peak form at Sunderland. However, manager Régis Le Bris admits the 24-year-old still has a long road ahead before reaching his best.

Samed, who joined the Championship side on loan from RC Lens, made his long-awaited return in Sunderland’s 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Stoke City on January 11, 2025. The game marked his first appearance in nearly five months, having struggled with injuries since arriving in England last summer.

Despite featuring in six league games since his return, the former Clermont Foot star is yet to rediscover his rhythm. Le Bris, however, believes that the growing competition in midfield could be the key to unlocking Samed’s potential.

“He is not at his best yet, for sure,” Le Bris told Sunderland Echo. “After six months out, it is still difficult for him to find the right confidence and feel good with the rest of the team. But with other players coming back, the competition in midfield will now be higher. That is good for the team, and it should also help Salis find his best.”

With 19 caps for Ghana’s Black Stars, Samed has proven his quality on the international stage. Now, the challenge remains for him to translate that talent into Sunderland’s midfield as he fights for a regular starting spot in the 2024-25 EFL Championship season.