Aji Alese trains with Johnny Fisher as Sunderland defender steps up comeback | OneFootball

Aji Alese has been seen training with British heavyweight Johnny Fisher as the Sunderland defender steps up his injury comeback.

According to Sunderland Echo, the 25-year-old was ruled out for the rest of last season with a serious groin injury on loan at Portsmouth. He suffered it shortly after coming off the bench in a defeat to Preston North End, his debut after a January switch.

The loan was intended to restore minutes after a long spell without regular football, but his return lasted only minutes. Fisher, 27, known as the Romford Bull, has won 14 of his 15 fights, 12 by knockout.

Alese was also coached at youth level by Fisher’s father, also called Johnny Fisher, before embarking on his professional career.

He joined Sunderland from West Ham United in July 2022. Early displays showed his physicality and versatility across the back line, but injuries have checked his momentum.

Before the Portsmouth setback, he had already gone more than a year without a Sunderland first-team outing due to a serious shoulder problem. He had also missed an extended spell after breaking his leg in January 2025, and has made 46 appearances in all competitions across four seasons.

The latest update is a positive marker in his rehabilitation. Sunderland are monitoring his recovery at the Academy of Light, with the defender under contract as the club prepare for a campaign involving Premier League and Europa League football.

Source: Sunderland Echo