Habib Diarra issues Sunderland promise after major injury blow
Habib Diarra has addressed Sunderland supporters via social media for the first time since suffering a significant injury setback.
After sustaining a groin problem, Diarra is scheduled to be absent until December.
Since joining the Black Cats from French outfit Strasbourg in the summer transfer window, the midfielder has been a key figure at the Stadium of Light, making four Premier League starts.
However, Diarra has been ruled out until the end of the year with a groin injury, but has promised to return stronger than before.
Habib Diarra vows to come back stronger as Sunderland star suffers injury blow
Football Insider have exclusively revealed that Sunderland will offload several first-team players in the January transfer window, having heavily bolstered their squad in the summer.
The Mackems have not been able to give game time to stars like Anthony Patterson and Dan Neil, who were key to their promotion from the Championship last term.
Meanwhile, taking to his Instagram story on Tuesday, 23 September, Diarra wrote: “Thank you for all your messages. I will come back stronger.”
Habib Diarra injury blow gives vital opportunity to Chris Rigg
As well as acquiring Diarra from Strasbourg, Sunderland signed fellow midfielders Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki from Bayer Leverkusen and Union St Gilloise, respectively.
| Sunderland’s next three fixtures | Premier League 2025-26 |
| 27 Sept | Nottingham Forest (A) |
| 4 Oct | Manchester United (A) |
| 18 Oct | Wolves (H) |
Consequently, despite playing a major role in the Championship last season, Chris Rigg had become surplus to requirements on Wearside in terms of first-team selection.
But now that Diarra is injured until December, the 18-year-old, who notched four goals and one assist in the second tier last term, has a chance to show what he can offer in the Premier League.
The homegrown talent will be eager to help Sunderland continue their unbeaten run in their upcoming away trips to Nottingham Forest and Manchester United.
Meanwhile, a home clash with a struggling Wolves outfit on 18 October gives Regis Le Bris’ men a major opportunity to earn their third win at the Stadium of Light.
Le Bris’ side have not lost since their 2-0 defeat at Burnley on 23 August, and have given themselves a strong platform for Premier League survival.