Sunderland expected to release Habib Diarra for AFCON as midfielder nears return

Habib Diarra is on course to join Senegal for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with Sunderland not expected to stand in the way of his call-up as he approaches the end of his rehabilitation.

The midfielder underwent groin surgery on 22 September and has spent more than two months recovering.

According to plans outlined by his club, Diarra is now in the final stretch of treatment and is projected to resume partial training in the early days of the second week of December.

If his progress continues without complication, one full week of collective training could be sufficient for him to return to match condition.

That timeline places him firmly in contention for Senegal’s squad for the tournament, scheduled from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.

Pape Thiaw is expected to name him in the final list, barring an unexpected setback.

Although Sunderland will be affected by Diarra’s absence during a busy period of the season, the club is not expected to oppose his release.

The Premier League side has maintained from the outset that it intends to support the player’s international commitments, even in the context of a long-term injury.

Manager Régis Le Bris explained the club’s approach during a press conference on Thursday, stressing the need for clear communication and a coordinated plan to ease the midfielder back into top-level competition.

We have to make sure his return is handled correctly, he said, reiterating that the priority is safeguarding the player’s long-term fitness.

Sunderland’s focus now is on ensuring that every step of Diarra’s reintegration is carried out with caution.

The club has invested considerable resources in his rehabilitation and wants to coordinate closely with the Senegalese setup to avoid any risk of recurrence during or after the tournament.

Diarra, 21, has yet to feature this season due to the injury sustained earlier in the campaign.

A former Strasbourg captain, he arrived at Sunderland with high expectations, and the club remains confident he will resume his upward trajectory once he returns to full fitness.

For Senegal, his potential availability is a significant boost.

Diarra’s versatility and dynamism in midfield make him an important asset, and Thiaw has long viewed him as part of the squad’s core.

With AFCON fast approaching, his recovery is being closely monitored on both sides.