Jack Diamond's brief return to Wearside could work to Harrogate's advantage in the long-term, according to Sulphurites' boss Simon Weaver.
Diamond was one of three loan players recalled by Sunderland earlier this month to allow the club to continue fulfilling its fixtures as a Covid outbreak left Lee Johnson's squad threadbare.
The 22-year-old was brought back by Sunderland on January 7 and was in the matchday squad for the last four games, including making a start against Lincoln and a substitute appearance at Wycombe.
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But it was always the plan that Diamond would resume his loan spell once the Covid problems subsided, and he has now returned to Wetherby Road.
Diamond had been a regular starter for Harrogate and Weaver says the fact that he played just 75 minutes of football in his three weeks back at Sunderland means he will return to the League Two side refreshed.
"I think having a bit of a rest could have benefited Jack," he said.
"We are coming up to a very busy period of the season and the workload is going to be heavy over the coming months.
"I think any player benefits from the chance to recharge the batteries when they've been playing a lot of minutes on a regular basis.
"But he's been outstanding for us and I thought he did very well in the game he started for Sunderland the other week.
"Particularly in the first half, he had good League One opposition on the back foot as he looked to run with the ball as he does and really take the game to them."
Diamond has made 17 League Two appearances for Harrogate, scoring five goals and providing three assists.
He was previously on loan with the North Yorkshire side two seasons ago, when he played a major part in Harrogate winning promotion from the National League to the EFL for the first time in their history - with his goal at Wembley helping the club to a 3-1 victory over Notts County in the play-off final.
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