Duncan Watmore could be one of League One’s best forwards if he captures his form prior to injury

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The Black Cats man sustained two serious injuries in Sunderland’s two relegation campaigns, but is edging ever closer to full fitness.

Sunderland and England International Duncan Watmore has been a player plagued by injuries in recent season’s, with the 24-year-old being unlucky enough to suffer back-to-back ACL injuries.

The Black Cats man is a huge favourite with the Sunderland faithful and has been a part of the setup on Wearside since 2014 when he joined from Altrincham.

The Englishman has been out since November last year, but looks like he could return to new manager Jack Ross’s team just after Sunderland begin life in League One next term.

It will certainly take time for Watmore to find his feet again on the Stadium of Light’s hallowed turf, but if the former Manchester United youth player can recapture his pre-injury form, he could be one of the third tier’s best attackers.

Watmore has only made scored three goals in his 43 appearances with Sunderland, but is a player who creates havoc within the oppositions final third with his willingness to run at defenders and his unorthodox footwork.

The youngster certainly has the experience of playing at a lower-level, which could benefit his side greatly, with the attacker enjoying loan spells at clubs including Curzon Ashton and Scottish side Hibernian.

The under-21 England international also enjoyed a lot of success with his country prior to his injury and was even part of the side that won the 2016 Toulon tournament.

Watmore’s best season in red and white came in the 2015/16 Premier League season when Sunderland managed to secure top-flight safety with former manager Sam Allardyce.

Significant in that season was Watmore’s partnership with one of Sunderland’s greatest strikers in Jermain Defoe, with the pair playing a pivotal part in Sunderland’s eventual 17th place finish.

Watmore still has a long road ahead of him before he can influence any of Sunderland’s League One promotion bid next campaign – and the player may even have to compete for his place, with several more new signings expected to arrive.

However, if 42-year-old Ross gives his player a chance to shine when he returns from injury in the new season, Watmore will certainly offer several attributes which could make him one of the best players in the division next season.