Kimpioka returns as L1 uncertainty continues
Benji Kimpioka is back on Wearside as Sunderland wait to hear how their season will be concluded.
League One clubs are expected to vote on a possible curtailment of the campaign earlynextweek,oncetheEFL's proposed framework passes a vote of its own. Kimpioka returned to Sweden before the lockdown measures were imposed in the UK, granted permission to be closer to family.
With the lockdown measures there far loss severe than in the UK, Kimpioka was able to train with his old club, IK Sirius. Sunderland had hoped to return to small-group training this week ahead of a possible resumption behind closed doors,buttheEFLblockedthat astheLeagueOneimpassecontinues.
Sunderland's academy campaign has already been curtailed, and while Kimpioka has not featured in the first teamsinceNovember,thereremains widespread uncertainty over the eligibility of players whose contracts are expiring, eveniftheseasondoesresume.
Kimpioka is one of 12 Sunderland players affected, and revealed last month that he is yettodecideonafour-yeardeal hehadpreviouslybeenoffered by the club.
“Idonotfeelanystress,Iam a Sunderland player and focus only on Sunderland," he said.
"But we will see what happens this summer. It's been a little back and forth [this season], and especially with the contract part. Since I have not signed maybe the club thinks thatIdonotfocusonthem.For myownpart,I'vehadtothinka lot, like when they gave me the contract proposal. It has been an up and down period for me with contracts and various club interests. It's about focusingonthefootballandtryingto get your feet talking.”