Sunderland’s Aji Alese has been sidelined with a frustrating ankle injury that will keep him out of action for a prolonged period. The 23-year-old defender, who started the season impressively, is now set to miss up to 12 weeks following an injury sustained in training at the end of August. Despite initial hopes for a shorter recovery time, Alese faces a return to fitness in late November or early December.
Recently, Alese shared a picture on Instagram showing him wearing a leg brace, indicating the extent of his injury. Sunderland swiftly moved to secure cover for the talented defender by signing Chris Mepham from Bournemouth on loan for the season. Mepham, an experienced Welsh center-back, made his debut for Sunderland against Middlesbrough and has since contributed to the team’s strong performances, with the Black Cats currently leading the league after nine matches.
With Alese’s absence creating a gap in Sunderland’s backline, the club is hopeful for his return following the international break in November. Mepham’s arrival adds depth to the squad and brings valuable experience from his time in both the Championship and the Premier League with Bournemouth.
