Anichebe has just featured once so far for Sunderland in what was a brief appearance.
West Brom’s Victor Anichebe looks dejected after missing a chance to score
Sunderland manager David Moyes has said he needs Victor Anichebe back in the side, with the club trying to use the international break to get him close to a return to action, the Sunderland Echo reports.
Anichebe featured in the 3-2 defeat to Crystal Palace but picked up a groin injury in the latter stages of the game.
Moyes – who worked with Anichebe during his time at Everton, and signed him on a free transfer for the Black Cats – seems to want all the options he has available to him.
Sunderland manager David Moyes
The Scot is quoted in the Sunderland Echo, saying: “We have brought him in, given him a chance to prove himself and I think he will.
“We are limited in who can play, limited in who we can bring off the bench if we are struggling and trying to find a way of changing things.”
Moyes admitted that signing Anichebe was something of a risk given the injury problems that have blighted him over the past couple of seasons.
Sunderland manager David Moyes before the game
It does show that he was desperate for an alternative striking option to Jermain Defoe – both in order to relieve the goalscoring burden a little, and provide another threat for opposition defences to think about.
The Black Cats face a couple of big away games following the international break against sides that have also had their struggles during the early part of the season when they visit Stoke City and West Ham United.
There is also a cup tie to contend with at Southampton before a home game against Arsenal and a trip to Bournemouth in the Premier League before the next international break. During that time they will hope to get Anichebe on the field, and hope he makes an effective contribution in the process.
Sunderland manager David Moyes
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