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Sunderland‘s Habib Diarra has suffered another injury blow, forcing him to spend a spell on the sidelines. 

The Premier League side signed the midfielder from RC Strasbourg in July 2025. In his debut season, he made 22 appearances, managing three goals and three assists. A groin injury and his involvement at AFCON restricted his minutes with the Black Cats.

This season, Diarra has played 178 minutes from six matches, with injuries again bothering him.

He suffered a hamstring injury in Sunderland’s 1-0 league win over Fulham in August. This kept the 22-year-old away from the pitch for 47 days, resulting in him missing the last international break.

Sunderland player’s new setback 

The Senegal international returned to action in the English club’s 2-0 league defeat to AFC Bournemouth in October. Since then, he made three more appearances, and the last was in Sunderland’s EFL Cup win over Brentford.

Habib Diarra started the cup tie, and Chriss Rigg replaced him after the first half. He had missed last weekend’s league defeat to Coventry City because of the fresh setback.

Régis Le Bris has confirmed the former Strasbourg man suffered a muscle problem during training and was unsure about the severity of the setback.

Earlier this year, there were reports linking him with a move away from the Stadium of Light. The frequent injury problems may force his potential suitors to soften or end their interest.

HABIB DIARRA
Reported injury history · Strasbourg and Sunderland
Sport Witness
Recorded period Club Injury / issue Recorded duration
16 May–30 June 2022 Strasbourg Knock 46 days
6 February–4 March 2023 Strasbourg Calf injury 27 days
21 October–4 November 2023 Strasbourg Groin injury 15 days
26 February–2 March 2024 Strasbourg Achilles tendon contusion 6 days
14–20 April 2024 Strasbourg Facial injury 7 days
11 June–2 July 2024 Strasbourg Ankle sprain 22 days
3 March–4 April 2025 Strasbourg Ankle injury 33 days
21–23 April 2025 Strasbourg Unspecified injury Brief absence
September–December 2025 Sunderland Groin injury requiring surgery Around three months
Late August–October 2026 Sunderland Hamstring injury Around six weeks
Late October 2026–ongoing Sunderland Muscle injury in training Return date unconfirmed
LATEST UPDATE
Régis Le Bris confirmed a fresh muscle problem after Diarra missed the Coventry match on 31 October. The midfielder had recently returned from his hamstring injury. The severity and recovery timeframe remained unconfirmed in the latest report.
Dates represent publicly recorded injury periods, which can differ between databases and do not necessarily mark a return to competitive action. Historical coverage may be incomplete.
The 2025 groin absence is shown as one rehabilitation period: Sunderland said on 12 December that he was expected back in full training the following week. The October 2026 muscle injury is reported as a fresh setback.
Updated: 3 November 2026.
SPORT WITNESS

What’s happened now

The midfielder will be out for ‘at least three weeks’ and D Sports in Senegal provides the latest about his setback.

Senegal will face Sudan twice in the AFCON qualifiers on November 11th and 15th. The latest blow means Habib Diarra can’t represent the national team.

New Senegal manager Patrick Vieira left him out for September and October’s matches. The second setback means he can’t call-up the Sunderland man for the next international break.

This is a blow for Diarra, who has to wait longer to play under Vieira. With the player out of action for three weeks, he will miss Sunderland’s next three matches.

  • v Dinamo Zagreb on November 5th
  • v Chelsea on November 8th
  • v Aston Villa on November 21st

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