More signings are expected and players will leave Sunderland this summer
Ian Poveda, left, talks to Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has admitted a number of his fringe players are available to leave the Stadium of Light during the remainder of the summer transfer window.
Saturday proved to be a productive day for the Black Cats as they kicked off their pre-season schedule with a double-header against non-league neighbours Gateshead and South Shields.
A youthful Black Cats side featuring first-team fringe players Joe Anderson, Ian Poveda, Nazariy Rusyn, Jay Matete, Abdoullah Ba and Hemir battled to a 2-2 draw with National League club Gateshead in a fixture that was held in front of a crowd of almost 2,200 at Hebburn Town Sports Ground.
A more senior Sunderland side containing Enzo Le Fee, Dan Ballard and record signing Habib Diarra faced National League North side South Shields at a sold-out 1st Cloud Arena just hours later and claimed a 4-0 win against the Mariners.
Speaking after the game, Le Bris reflected on a positive afternoon and gave his stance on the future of a number of members of his squad.
“Yes, absolutely,” the former Lorient boss told Chronicle Live when asked if fringe players that featured against Gateshead were available to leave the club.
“We split the squad with the players who really need to find game time. For the others, it's fair to say we need to assess their level right now, assess the squad and see after that.
When asked specifically about if Ian Poveda would be allowed to depart, Le Bris answered: “Yeah, absolutely.”
The future of Australia Under-23 international Nectar Triantis remains up in the air after the likes of Hibs, Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth were all linked with a move for a player that looks at home in defence and midfield.
Given the lack of defensive options current at Le Bris’ disposal, the Black Cats boss hinted he will take his time to decide what lies ahead with Triantis despite the clear interest from elsewhere.
“We'll see for every player. I told them that the first two weeks we are dedicated to connection.
“After that we'll have to be clear. Some of them need game time but if it's not possible for the squad in the Premier League it's not necessary to stay here. We'll decide early.
“For Nectar, he had a good season last season. He played well on loan.
“It's the same for everyone, let's use these two first weeks to understand where they are exactly. Then we will decide for everyone.”
There was one major positive for Le Bris during the win over the National League North side as former Leeds United full-back Niall Huggins made a promising return after a lengthy injury absence.
The 24-year-old has not made a competitive appearance for the Black Cats since they suffered a 3-0 defeat against Coventry City in December 2023 and has made a painstaking recovery throughout the last 19 months.
Le Bris admitted Huggins could have played some part in the last month of the Championship season but the Black Cats medical team opted to take a cautious approach with the final stages of his recovery from serious knee injury.
Of Huggins, he said: “He’s ready to go.
“It was possible, just at the end of last season (for Huggins) to play but we decided because of the injury to be safe and to start with the pre-season.”
Le Bris also confirmed young midfielder Chris Rigg is still recovering from an ankle injury he suffered on international duty during the summer.
The Academy of Light product played for 45 minutes as England Under-19s beat their Iceland counterparts but missed out on a place in the Three Lions squad for the Under-19 European Championships.
However, Le Bris has confirmed the injury is not serious and Rigg is expected to return to training when the Black Cats squad travel to Portugal to step up their preparations for the new Premier League season.