The Black Cats are having a look at the former Tractor Boy and Ram
- Injury concerns prompt Sunderland to trial young goalkeeper Lewis Ridd, seeking coverage amid an injury crisis.
- Cameron and Metcalf sidelined; Chibueze on loan. Ridd emerges to fill the gap in the squad.
- Anthony Patterson’s impressive stats have attracted interest; possible move could see Wigan’s Sam Tickle signed as a replacement.
When the starting lineup for the Black Cats’ Central League matchup against Huddersfield Town was revealed, speculation about the identity of a trialist started to grow. First-team players Luis Hemir, Mason Burstow, and Timothee Pembélé were also included in the squad. The team overcame a 2-0 deficit to win the game.
Sunderland take Wales under-19 goalkeeper on trial
Journalist James Copley of Sunderland Echo revealed the identity of the unidentified trialist as Ridd. Subsequently, he stated that the 19-year-old was brought to the team to offer some coverage during the goalkeeping department’s injury crisis.
Dan Cameron, Sunderland’s 19-year-old custodian, experienced an injury setback. However, a return from the Academy of Light graduate is anticipated shortly. It’s unknown at this time what kind of injury he sustained. Another academy custodian, Ben Metcalf, was left off the pitch for the Huddersfield match; however, the 17-year-old is still recovering from a concussion and is gradually getting back to full fitness.
Adam Richardson, 20, was among the other injured players in Sunderland’s shot-stopping youth ranks. Kelechi Chibueze, meanwhile, has returned to Consett on a loan arrangement that will keep him with the Northern Premier League Division One East team through the end of the current season.
Together, these elements compelled the club to act, which resulted in the introduction of Ridd for trial.
Lewis Ridd: Sunderland’s trialist goalkeeper
Throughout his brief career, the former Ipswich and Derby custodian has never played for a senior team. He started out in the Swansea City youth system before deciding to join Town in July 2020. He went out on loan to non-league teams like Bury Town, Sudbury, and Brightlingsea while he was with the East Anglian club.
Ridd then made another career move at the beginning of this season when he signed a free agent contract with the Rams in the summer. The Welsh under-19 international briefly joined Mickleover FC, but that move was short-lived, and the Black Cats are now considering him in the midst of their numerous issues with custodian fitness.
Sunderland target League One goalkeeper
The club is also concerned about losing Anthony Patterson, another academy graduate and first team keeper. Journalist Alan Nixon claims on his Patreon page that the club is worried about potential summer offers for the 23-year-old, and if that happens, they will demand a £20 million price for him.
However, the Black Cats are keeping an eye on highly-regarded Wigan Athletic custodian Sam Tickle in case a move does happen. He would be a less expensive alternative for Sunderland, though Nixon says Wigan will attempt to obtain a reasonable price for the England under-21 goalie.
Since being added to the first team at the end of the club’s third-tier 2021/22 season, Patterson has been the undisputed number one.
Injuries have helped to derail Sunderland’s season
Of course, a number of other factors have also played a part in Sunderland’s 23/24 campaign’s disastrous outcome. They had two managers, terrible recruitment in the summer, and several instances of interim manager Mike Dodds leading the team, but injuries have taken a heavy toll.
To name a few, Jack Clarke missed nearly six weeks due to an ankle injury, Patrick Roberts has struggled with fitness, and club captain Corry Evans hasn’t participated in a single game this season.
Although injuries are a given in professional sports, Sunderland may feel unlucky given how much physical abuse they have endured this season.
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