Max Stryjek is on his way back to League One challengers Sunderland, with his loan spell at National League Eastleigh coming to an end.
Max Stryjek will be missed at Eastleigh.
The 22-year-old has shone since dropping down to the National League on a half-season loan deal from Sunderland and even saved a penalty on his debut.
However, thanks to a combination of homesickness and the expiration of the loan agreement, Stryjek is set for a return to Wearside after Eastleigh’s home game against Harrogate Town on Saturday.
In quotes reported by the Daily Echo, manager Ben Strevens has paid tribute to the Polish shot-stopper and predicts a bright future for him in Sunderland colours.
“Max has been brilliant for us and he has a great future in the game, but he’s not been himself these last few weeks,” Strevens said.
“It’s nothing to do with the club, he’s been struggling with homesickness for the last month.
“I’m not even sure Sunderland would have let him come back to us anyway. He’ll go back and push to be their number two ‘keeper.”
Stryjek has been tipped for big things at the Stadium of Light ever since he arrived in 2014 from Polonia Warsaw. The 6ft 2ins stopper is yet to make his first-team debut for Sunderland but certainly impressed behind the scenes for the club’s youth teams.
The presence of Jon McLaughlin in goal means a starting spot under Jack Ross looks unlikely for now, but a place on the bench ahead of Robbin Ruiter is a good target to aim for.
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