Former Sunderland prospect backed to return stronger after hamstring surgery

Former Sunderland academy star Caden Kelly has been backed to bounce back from a hamstring injury that has disrupted his impressive introduction to life with non-league neighbours South Shields.

The former Manchester City prospect became a regular feature in Black Cats Under-18s and Under-21s sides following a move to Wearside and earned his first senior appearance as a substitute in an EFL Trophy meeting with Manchester United Under-21s in October 2021 before featuring in a Carabao Cup tie with Sheffield Wednesday just under a year later.

Kelly was handed the first loan move of his young career when he joined Darlington during the second half of last season and impressed as he scored six goals and provided six assists in 28 appearances for the National League North club. The 22-year-old winger was released by Sunderland during the summer and immediately joined South Shields as he became one of Ian Watson’s first signings following his appointment at the 1st Cloud Arena.

Kelly has shone throughout the opening four months of the season as the Mariners have been thrust into the middle of a National League North title battle - but his involvement has now been disrupted by a hamstring injury that has required surgery in recent weeks. That formed part of a double injury blow for Watson as a serious shoulder injury suffered by goalkeeper Jasper Sheik also saw the former Crawley Town youngster go under the knife.

However, the Mariners boss is remaining positive and he believes both players have a mindset that will benefit them as they begin the long road to recovery.

Mindset

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s home game with National League North rivals Kidderminster Harriers: “Jasper has picked up a horrendous injury and it’s a really bad one for a goalkeeper. The surgery has gone really well and has given us the best possible outcome. He had a lot going on with his shoulder and there was ligament damage. He’s just got to wait for it to heel before we see where he is at. Caden had the same operation on the other hamstring so he’s been through it all before, he knows what to expect, he knows what to do. He’s now had surgery on his hamstring and is in a similar situation but hopefully they’ll be back by the end of the season. That’s me being positive and if everything goes well but that’s the mindset I have when it comes to injuries.

“It’s a shame for both lads because they were both finding their feet at the club - but take South Shields out of it and you felt both were actually finding their feet in their senior careers. They have to come back stronger, it’s the only way, we can all say the right things but the fact is you either come back stronger and your career is back on track - or you don’t and that’s the reality and the harsh side of football - but I think both players will because they have that mindset and they both have our full backing.”

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