Paddy McNair has only made five league starts for Sunderland since arriving from Manchester United in the summer of 2016.
Sunderland’s current squad is hardly blessed with either quality or depth so the fact that one of their most astute signings in recent years is finally closing in on a return should have supporters breathing an almighty sigh of relief.
Paddy McNair has not featured in Sunderland colours since a 3-0 win over Hull City in November of last year after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury.
A player highly rated by Louis Van Gaal during his spell in charge of Manchester United, the Black Cats looked to have pulled off a real coup when they signed McNair and his fellow Old Trafford academy graduate Donald Love in a combined £5.5 million deal last summer, per the club’s official website.
After making just five league starts before the injury struck, however, the versatile Northern Irish international is only now preparing to make his return with Sunderland’s Under-23s pencilled in to play Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin in the Premier League International Cup.
‘A nice boost for us’
“Paddy is back training with us now,” manager Simon Grayson said in quotes reported by The Chronicle.
“The under-23s play next week against Hertha Berlin, it might be that he is pencilled in for some part against Hertha Berlin (on the 10th October). It would be a nice boost for us.
“I see him as a good addition to the squad in many different positions. Paddy will be the first to admit that he sees himself as a midfield player. He will be a good player in there because of his height, his strength and energy. That is what we need.”
The 22-year-old featured at centre-half, right-back and defensive midfield during his formative years with United and should provide Grayson with some much needed options in a Sunderland side sitting second from bottom in the Championship.
Therefore, the manager will be hoping McNair emerges unscathed from his long-awaited comeback.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
