NafisaZak Johnson could be set for a loan move away from Sunderland in January, manager Régis Le Bris has admitted, as the 20-year-old defender seeks more regular first-team football in the latter half of the season.
Johnson, who made his senior debut for Sunderland in a Papa John’s Trophy clash against Manchester United Under-21s in October 2021, has struggled to establish himself in the first team. Last season, his only senior appearance for the Black Cats came in a Carabao Cup defeat to Crewe Alexandra. This season, despite being named as an unused substitute 13 times, his sole senior outing was the full 90 minutes in the League Cup loss to Preston back in August.
The young centre-back spent the second half of last season on loan with Dundalk in the League of Ireland, making 18 appearances, and has also previously had a spell with Hartlepool United. However, with Sunderland’s central defensive options set to expand as Jenson Seelt nears a return to fitness alongside established players like Dan Ballard, Chris Mepham, Luke O’Nien, Leo Hjelde, and Aji Alese, opportunities for Johnson appear increasingly limited.
Le Bris has suggested another loan move could be on the horizon. “We’ll see,” he said. “It (a January loan move) could be an option. His reaction, the way he trains every day, is very positive. I like Zak in the training sessions, and especially when he’s a team-mate on the bench. He’s always positive, he’s a good player, but he needs time to develop.”
The manager acknowledged the challenges faced by young defenders trying to break into a settled backline, contrasting Johnson’s situation with that of academy graduate Tommy Watson, who has enjoyed a breakthrough as an attacking player.
“I think for him (Johnson) it’s more difficult because the back four is more consistent,” Le Bris said. “Probably, if he had been a winger, it should have been different for him. But it’s the case, and so far, he’s very positive with the team and I like his profile.”
Nafisa
