Alex Neil has been handed a key Sunderland injury boost over wide attacker Nathan Broadhead... 

What's the latest?

According to The Chronicle, the Black Cats are set to monitor the forward's fitness ahead of their clash with Lincoln in League One at the weekend.

He has been dealing with a tight hamstring for a number of months and has only made one competitive appearance for the club since the turn of the year - featuring in the 0-0 draw with Charlton on the 5th of this month.

They also quote Neil as saying: “It's not a massive issue.

“We were disappointed he missed out, because him and Alex [Pritchard] have been very good since I've been here and even before that.
“It was really pleasing to be able to get the win without them, as well."

Delight

This update will surely delight Neil and supporters as it suggests that the Welshman is closing in on a return from injury and could be in contention to play against the Imps.

His availability would be a major boost to the head coach as he has the quality to be a difference-maker for the club in League One. He has had fitness issues throughout the campaign but has proven his ability to find the back of the net when he has been able to get out on the pitch.

Broadhead, on loan from Everton, has eight goals for the side in all competitions - with five in League One, two in the League Cup and one in the EFL Trophy. His five strikes in the third tier have come from just nine starts and 13 appearances in total, showing that he can score on a regular basis when fit.

The attacker excelled in Everton's youth side last season prior to his loan at the Stadium of Light. He scored 11 goals and provided three assists in 18 outings in the Premier League 2 and this suggests that his Sunderland form is not a flash in the pan as he has been able to score regularly at youth level as well as in a first-team set-up.

Broadhead can play through the middle as a centre-forward, as a number 10 and on either flank, which means that he is a brilliant and versatile option for the ex-Preston coach to call upon in the coming weeks and months in the fight to secure a play-off spot. His goalscoring knack has the potential to win valuable points for Sunderland and that is why having him back is a huge boost and Neil will be delighted with this update.

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