Régis Le Bris handed potential £17.5million injury boost for Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest | OneFootball

Régis Le Bris could receive a timely boost. Nilson Angulo is closing in on fitness, with Villa Park squad involvement possible, though a Nottingham Forest return is considered more realistic.

Sunderland Echo reports that the 22-year-old may travel for Sunday’s Premier League match at Aston Villa, but he is unlikely to feature. He was pictured at the Academy of Light last week as he stepped up his work.

The winger has been out since a muscle issue before the 1-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on 14 March. Le Bris initially suggested a four to six week recovery, and Angulo missed the Tyne-Wear derby win at Newcastle United. The head coach is expected to be asked for an update before Villa.

His recovery also affected his international plans. Named in Ecuador’s provisional squad to face Morocco and the Netherlands, he withdrew to continue rehabilitation on Wearside. Head coach Sebastián Beccacece confirmed he left camp early, with midfielder Patrik Mercado also returning to England.

Angulo joined from Anderlecht in January for a fee understood to be around £17.5million after seven goals and eight assists in 30 appearances. He has five Premier League outings, three starts, without a goal or assist across 264 minutes.

Sunderland sit 10th, two points off sixth-placed Chelsea, with six matches remaining. The run-in starts at Aston Villa, then Nottingham Forest, Wolves, Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea. Angulo’s return would add another wide option, with minutes likely managed initially.

Source: Sunderland Echo