Nathan Broadhead was brought straight back into Sunderland’s starting line-up against Charlton Athletic at The Valley today.
The on-loan Everton striker is fit again after recovering from the hamstring injury he suffered in the Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat at Arsenal the week before Christmas.
Having returned to Everton for treatment, he had been pictured back on the training ground at the Academy of Light this week and there was always a chance that he could be involved today, but Alex Neil’s decision to include him in the starting XI was still something of a surprise.
Broadhead’s inclusion at the expense of Elliot Embleton was the only change to the Sunderland side that began last weekend’s win at Wigan Athletic.
There were no goals today for Broadhead, who played the first 70 minutes of the game. He has made a great impression at The Black Cats and picked up pretty much where he left off, full of clever runs and good turns in tight spaces. He was a touch unfortunate that it never quite broke for him inside the box, but he looked a threat and his return is a big moment in Sunderland’s season.
