Ex-Leeds United man could hand Sunderland AFC a secret weapon in 2025 | OneFootball

The winger has made just three appearances so far this season, but could be more than useful for the Black Cats when he returns from injury.

Sunderland AFC have had a difficult few weeks, after starting the season excellently and leading the way for nearly two months.

The Black Cats are currently on a 10-game unbeaten run, but they have drawn all of their last five games in the Championship, seeing them drop from the top of the table to 4th - below Leeds United, Sheffield United and Burnley.

November has been very frustrating for Regis Le Bris and the rest of his team, and a trip to Bramall Lane on Friday evening will only increase fears that supporters have of dropping away from those now in the automatic places.

Nevertheless, this young Sunderland side have proven resilient on multiple occasions already this season, and with the likes of Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham in the starting XI, there is plenty of quality in the side to cause issues for the Blades.

But, there is another player in the ranks at the Stadium of Light that some may have forgotten about, and he could prove to be the difference in the new year.

Ian Poveda will feel like a new signing in 2025

Scoring goals on a consistent basis has been the biggest issue for the Black Cats over the course of the last five matches, with Le Bris' side finding the back of the net just three times.

Losing Jack Clarke in the summer to Ipswich Town looked as though it was going to be a huge problem for the Wearsiders, but the performances of players like Romain Mundle have ensured that he has not been missed too much. However, the hole left by the 24-year-old is starting to open up once again.

While this could become a problem, Sunderland do have another card to play in 2025, and that is Ian Poveda. The former Leeds starlet has had injury difficulties since making the move to the north-east in the summer, but he proved last season with Sheffield Wednesday that he has the ability to make a difference in an attacking sense.

The Colombia international is currently out with a thigh injury, but when he returns to the fold, he could make a huge impact.

Poveda, while he was quiet in terms of statistical output in 2023/24, created plenty of chances and was a nuisance for defenders to contend with.

His ability to carry the ball forward was a huge reason behind the Owls becoming more of an attacking threat, and he will be hoping to show that at Sunderland when he returns.

Poveda must keep fit to stand a chance of starting consistently

The 24-year-old has had fitness issues throughout his career, and this current setback is nothing new to him. But he will hope that at a new club he will be able to make a name for himself and keep his past behind him.

However, to do that, he must stay on top of his fitness, and keep himself ready to be deployed by Le Bris when the opportunity comes.

There is a great chance for Poveda to make a difference at Sunderland at this moment in time with just how difficult they are finding it to win, and if he does keep himself in good condition, he can prove to those at Leeds what they have missed out on.

His French manager has got the best out of young stars already this season, and the winger could be the next to benefit from him in the coming weeks and months as the Black Cats look to get their surprise promotion fight back on track.