Super Eagles midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, returned to action for Leicester City after 67 days in their Sky Bet Championship clash at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night.
The Foxes won the tie 1-0 to keep their promotion hopes alive.
The central midfielder suffered a serious muscle injury which had kept him out of action for the Foxes since the start of the year and cost him his spot in the Super Eagles squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote D’ivoire.
Prior to the trip to Sunderland, Ndidi had not played competitively for Enzo Maresca’s side since December 29, 2023 when he lasted 69 minutes on the pitch in a 2-0 win at Cardiff City
The 27-year-old replaced Yunus Akgun 18 minutes from time against Sunderland.
Ndidi, who was cautioned in the 90th minute, has scored twice in 22 league outings for Leicester City this season.
Manager Enzo Maresca’s second substitution in 78th-minute saw Kelechi Iheanacho take the place of Jamie Vardy who proved to be the match winner.
The former England international headed home from close range to give the visitors the lead in the thirteenth minute.
