Why Mason Greenwood will NOT make return to England for Sunderland vs Marseille friendly in his hometown Bradford - explained

Greenwood will be absent when Marseille head to Bradford, the striker's hometown, to play Sunderland in a pre-season friendly on Saturday. The striker spent the majority of last season on loan at Getafe but completed a move to France instead of heading back to Spain but he will not be part of the squad to play the Black Cats.

The match has been switched to Valley Parade because Sunderland's stadium is undergoing redevelopment work and simply isn't ready to host a fixture, as new floodlights and a new pitch are being installed, but the club have briefed that Greenwood has sustained a muscle injury, according to La Provence, which means he will not be risked.

However, sources have told the newspaper that OM may be keen to avoid a controversial return to the UK for a player who was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in October 2022, then aged 20. Those charges were discontinued in February 2023.

Greenwood had plenty of interest before joining Marseille and Lazio's sporting director has claimed that the former England international is a "mercenary" after preferring a move to France over Serie A.

Greenwood will hope to fight his way back to fitness quickly and help Marseille in 2024-25. The club finished eighth in Ligue 1 last season and will be aiming to secure European qualification this term.