Sunderland boss happy for Niall Huggins but 'hoping and praying' he returns fit

Tony Mowbray admits he will be ‘hoping and praying’ Niall Huggins returns to the club fit after the international break, but the full-backs international recognition is well deserved.

Huggins received his first senior call-up to the Wales squad this month for the EURO 24 qualifiers against Armenia and Türkiye.

It’s a fine reward for a player who has worked back from an incredibly tough couple of years battling injury, and Mowbray is thrilled to see the 22-year old get his career back on track.

"I think it's great for him,” Mowbray said of Huggins’ Wales call-up. “I shook his hand on Thursday when I came in.

"It's amazing for him. He had a really, really, tough time - not just the injuries but the psychological kickback of those injuries has been really tough for a young guy to constantly break down.

"Now, to be robust and strong, and to be able to play left or play right and not bat an eyelid and to run with the ball and score and amazing goal recently, it's just great for him.

"We just hope and pray he can stay fit and keep enjoying his football as much as he is doing at the moment."

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The one downside from a Sunderland point of view is that Huggins won’t now get a rest during the international break, which may not be ideal for a player with his injury history.

However, Mowbray is happy to take that risk. He himself came close to a call-up to the England squad for the 1990 World Cup, so he knows how much it can mean to players.

Always worth another look 🤩#SAFC | @Niall_Huggins https://t.co/cimVYgRjWc pic.twitter.com/3IeodfIAYM
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) November 10, 2023

“He's going to play for his country and I would never deny a player that,” Mowbray said.

"It's one of the biggest accolades you can ever have. I still talk about my England B caps [in 1989] - if I'd have played in the World Cup in 1990, you'd have never heard the last of it!

"I'd be in here every day telling you about it. It's fantastic for Niall and we're all delighted him."

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