The Ghana international, who joined the club on loan from French Ligue 1 side RC Lens during the summer transfer window, is yet to make an appearance for The Black Cats due to a muscle injury.

Speaking ahead of Sunderland’s match against Watford on Saturday in the Championship, Le Bris shared that Samed is still undergoing rehabilitation.

“I don’t know exactly when Salis will be available to play,” he said.

“He is feeling good but with the kind of injury he is coming back from, if he reaches a certain level of intensity then it could provoke another injury. At the moment we don’t know exactly when he will be fit, but I think it will probably be after the international break,” he added.

Sunderland faced a setback over the weekend, suffering a 2-1 defeat against Watford at Vicarage Road.

The 24-year-old Ghana international joins Sunderland, pending international clearance, and the club has expressed excitement over the new addition.

In a statement, Sunderland said, “We are thrilled to confirm the signing of Salis Abdul Samed. The midfielder has joined us on a loan deal from RC Lens for the duration of the season.”

Sunderland’s Sporting Director, Kristjaan Speakman, shared his enthusiasm about the signing, emphasizing the club’s commitment to helping Samed adapt and perform at his best. “We are excited to have Sallis with us,” Speakman said.

“He is a disciplined defensive midfielder, both in and out of possession. His unique profile will add a new dimension to our midfield, and we believe he will thrive in the challenges posed by the Sky Bet Championship. His experience in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League will be invaluable as he transitions to English football.”

Last season, Abdul Samed made 39 appearances across all competitions, including playing in the Champions League and Europa League. Despite interest from other French clubs, such as FC Nantes, Stade Brestois, and AS Saint-Étienne, Samed chose to move to England.

In other news, Samed has been omitted from Ghana’s squad for their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Angola and Niger.

The Ghanaian international, who had drawn interest from multiple French teams, chose to join the English Sky Bet Championship side.

Salis Abdul Samed prêté à @SunderlandAFC

Apparu à 72 reprises avec le Racing, le milieu rejoint l’Angleterre sous la forme d’un prêt pour la campagne 2024/25 de @SkyBetChamp.

Bonne saison @salisabdulsamed ! pic.twitter.com/VqAiKVBxIi

— Racing Club de Lens (@RCLens) August 30, 2024

Abdul Samed, who joined Lens in June 2022 for a reported €5 million and signed a five-year deal, made an immediate impact with his debut and first goal in August of the same year.

Despite making 39 appearances last season, including in the Champions League and Europa League, Abdul Samed fell out of favour with new manager Will Still over the summer.

FC Nantes, Stade Brestois, and AS Saint-Étienne were among the clubs linked with the midfielder, but a deal was finalized with Sunderland—now managed by former FC Lorient boss Régis Le Bris—on transfer deadline day. The loan arrangement does not include an option for a permanent transfer.

Abdul Samed has completed his medicals in France and will soon travel to England to join his new squad.

Currently valued at €8 million by Transfermarkt, Abdul Samed has been omitted from the Black Stars squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Angola and Niger.

Gyan joined Sunderland in 2010 on a four-year deal for a club record £13 million from Stade Rennais.

The 37-year-old hit the grounds and became the fans’ favourite due to his dancing jubilation.

Speaking to SuperSport on his memorable moment in the Premier League, Gyan revealed that scoring against Newcastle United remains the moment he will cherish forever.

“Playing against Newcastle United is the memorable moment I will never forget playing in the Premier League,” he said.

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“It was a rivalry and when I joined Sunderland I was told about it. They scored the first goal and I equalized for Sunderland. The goal was scrappy but I was happy to score and I will cherish that moment forever,” he added.

Gyan was later given the squad number 33 shirt at Sunderland. He scored on his Sunderland debut against Wigan Athletic on 11 September after coming on as a substitute for Danny Welbeck. The match ended in a 1–1 draw with Antolín Alcaraz scoring Wigan’s equaliser

Gyan made 37 appearances for Sunderland scoring 11 goals during his two years stay at the club.

Gyan, 34, joined The Black Cats following his scintillating performance at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The club paid a record fee of over £13m to sign the then 24-year-old centre forward from Stade Rennes in the 2010 summer transfer window.

Bent had enjoyed a good debut season with Sunderland scoring 25 goals in all competitions but returned to pre-season with the arrival of Gyan and Danny Welbeck.

According to the former English international, hearing reports about striker Gyan joining the team in the summer was odd.

“You can’t help but think, what’s going on here?”, the former Sunderland striker told Talk Sports.

“I wouldn’t say it was an issue, but when I was at Sunderland, I had a very, very good season. I scored loads of goals.

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“And then I missed out on the World Cup that summer and Asamoah Gyan was fantastic for Ghana that summer.

“I remember reading the paper one day, maybe I was at home or on holiday, and it said, ‘Sunderland have been linked with Asamoah Gyan’, and I thought that’s a bit odd.

“Next thing I know, I return to pre-season a little later, and Gyan walks in the building… Danny Welbeck walks in the building…

“I’m thinking, ‘What is going on here!?’ I stayed, but only until January.”

Asked what his initial reaction was, and if he was sizing Gyan up after his arrival, Bent continued: “Of course. That’s what you do.

“You start looking in training and thinking about what is he good at? What can he do, what can he not do so well?

“Ultimately, in the position I play in it’s just about scoring more goals than them. That’s the way I thought about.”

Gyan left Sunderland in September 2011 just after a season to join UAE side Al-Ain.