Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris has some big decisions to make as the team return to action against Wolves this weekend…
Régis Le Bris says he is considering moving Enzo Le Fée back into a central position at Sunderland but has no concerns over Habib Diarra’s confidence.
Diarra was brought off in the second half against Nottingham Forest last Friday as the Black Cats fell to a 5-0 defeat, a game in which Le Bris’s team struggled right across the board. That followed Diarra’s crucial late miss against Aston Villa a week previous – though he had excelled in the club’s previous fixture against Spurs.
Le Bris admits he wants more competition for places in midfield and out wide, which he should get in the next fortnight as Jocelin Ta, Bertrand Traore and Nilson Angulo step up their injury recoveries.
“I don’t think Habib is a risky profile [with his confidence] at the minute because he feels strong,” Le Bris said.
“We don’t have any concern about that. It’s about the opportunity, if it’s possible, because we never know. If we can find a higher level of competition, it helps. I think it helps because for the management of the squad, it’s still positive.”
Le Bris did make clear however that he is considering moving Le Fée between now and the end of the season, however, potentially leading to some rotation in midfield.
“We had a conversation with Habib recently about this topic,’ Le Bris said.
“And Enzo as well because Enzo played as a left winger but his best position is as midfielder, as a ten or an eight depending on the pair. So if our wingers are back, it gives us more options and probably more competition for the wingers, which wasn’t the case for a long period. And then it means more competition as well for the midfielders and different options for us.
“And it’s still helpful because we are human. When you are comfortable in your position without competition, it’s not easy to maintain the same level, to push hard because we need this extra drive to get better. And as a manager, when we have different options, let’s say we start with Enzo as a 10 and then a bit later with, for example, Rigg or Habib in this position for the opponent, it would be totally different and it’s positive for the outcome of the squad.”
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Le Bris confirmed that Ta Bi, Traore and Angulo could all return to the squad this weekend though Manchester United’s visit to the Stadium of Light next weekend may be more realistic for the latter two.
Le Bris said: “Probably Jocelin [will be available] this weekend and we’ll make the decision for Berto and Nilson if they are available this weekend or the week after. They are on the edge and in a good place.”
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