Jay Matete hasn’t played since suffering an injury during Sunderland’s preseason tour of the United States.
For the first time this season, Jay Matete will be a member of Sunderland’s team when they play Championship promotion contenders Ipswich Town tomorrow. The midfield player underwent surgery to repair damage to his knee cartilage during the team’s preseason tour of the United States, and he has been gradually returning to full health.
And, considering that he spent the second half of last season on loan at eventual League One champions Plymouth Argyle, it will be his first appearance on the Sunderland teamsheet since the 2023 New Year’s Day game at Blackpool when he was an unused substitute. Matete last month participated in a Premier League 2 match for Sunderland versus Arsenal U21 for 45 minutes, but this trip to Portman Road will be his first-team debut.
Michael Beale, the head coach of Sunderland, stated: “He will be joining the team again this weekend.” He’s worked hard in the gym; granted, he isn’t quite match fit, but I’ve seen enough of him to know that we may occasionally need to substitute another midfield player to enter the game.
“I don’t think he has been ready before. He was out on loan last season before he got injured.
“I’m getting to know him and I have been pleased with his application, but he’s not had any minutes in quite a while before he played 45 minutes against Arsenal U21 the other week.”
It’s unclear if the 22-year-old will stay at Wearside for the whole of the year or go on loan to play regularly while he recovers. “We’ll see,” Beale remarked.
“There are one or two who, by the end of the month, looking at our squad, they’ll either be really needed or they’ll feel themselves they need to go [out on loan] and play.”
