Sunderland have given an injury update on defender Jordan Willis, who has been sidelined since February 2021 is finally on the road to recovery. He ruptured a patella tendon in a game at Shrewsbury Town last season. This was expected to keep him out for around six months; however, the injury happened again during surgery. This major setback meant the former Coventry City center-back would miss all of this season too.
Willis, who announced via his Instagram account that he is back in light training, will be hoping to be ready for the beginning of next season.
On the road to recovery.
Keep at it, @J2Willis! 👊 pic.twitter.com/UkzUPC8BGT
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) April 8, 2022
Sunderland Injury Update: Jordan Willis on Road to Recovery
New Contract Not Guaranteed for Recovering Defender
Jordan Willis is one of a number of Sunderland players who will be out of contract this summer. Unlike many others, Willis has been unable to show new manager Alex Neil what he can do. It will therefore be a difficult decision for the club on if they should extend the defenders’ contract. The club extended his contract last summer to cover this season while he recovered.
Alex Neil has recently spoken about those out of contract this summer and it’s not something he is concerning himself with until the season is finished. He told the Sunderland Echo: “I’m not planning any further than April 30th. I’m not looking to the summer, beyond the summer, I’m not doing any of that. Win the next game: that is my only focus.
“Everybody has been spoken to when I walked in the building and I’ve told them all, whatever your agenda looks like, whatever your dynamics are, park it.
“Because our sole focus at the moment is to try and finish the season as well as we can. Once we get to the end of the season, if we are successful in what we are trying to achieve, every single person will be in a better place to renegotiate a contract, move onto another club if that is what their desire is. Potentially stay here if that is what their desire is. All of that will be in a better place if we are successful.”
Jordan Willis Had Been a First Team Regular Prior to Injury
Signed from Coventry City in 2019, the quick central defender quickly became a regular in the Sunderland defence. Comfortable in a back four or five, Willis has also been asked to play as wing-back on occasions.
The 27-year-old played 60 games in all competitions for the Black Cats before suffering his major injury. His focus will now be to fully recover and earn a new contract at the club no matter which division the club are playing in next season. Sunderland are currently in a battle to make the League One play-offs following a disastrous start to 2022. However, despite performances coming under question the Black Cats are undefeated in their last seven games, keeping five clean sheets in the process.
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