Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris (main) has issued a rally cry ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby.placeholder image
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris (main) has issued a rally cry ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby. | Getty Images
Newcastle United supporters are partying in Barcelona as their bitter rivals Sunderland aim to rediscover form ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby.
Regis Le Bris has ordered his players to be the “best Sunderland possible” as they aim to complete a league double over Newcastle United.
St James’ Park hosts its first Tyne-Wear derby for a decade this Sunday. Eddie Howe’s men are eager for revenge after tasting a 1-1 defeat at the Stadium of Light in December.
Attention is currently fixed on the small matter of a mammoth Champions League clash with Barcelona. Thousands of Toon fans are sinking pints on Las Ramblas while Sunderland’s sole focus remains this weekend’s game.
‘Best Sunderland possible’ - Regis Le Bris
Le Bris has urged his Black Cats stars to rediscover their form before travelling to Tyneside. Sunderland have only won one of their last six Premier League games, with League One side Port Vale also dumping them in the FA Cup.
“We are learning,” he told reporters. “I repeat, this is our first season in the Premier League. Probably not many people expected our situation right now. We are disappointed after our defeat, that’s fair, but we are in a really good place.
“The players are doing well. Ups and downs, but the mentality is good. Sometimes you don’t have the best of times, but I think mainly it was really positive (this season). And for the future, the last part of the season will help us as well.
“I think we have ups and downs emotionally, which is normal. Because when we lose, we are not happy. That’s clear. But week by week, you can change the dynamic quickly. It was the case at Leeds, I think the lads deserve huge credit for that win.
“And to reach 40 points at this stage of the season, early March, is impressive. So (we need to) keep going and we have an important game (against Newcastle) in one week. We want to be the strongest version of Sunderland as soon as possible.”
Sunderland injury crisis?
Sunderland were dealt a major blow against Brighton as Dan Ballard hobbled off with a hamstring injury. He joins a mounting injury list, with Le Bris admitting they are “struggling” at present.
“It wasn't possible (to bring Wilson Isidor on) because he got an injury,” the Frenchman said post-match. “We were really on the edge. We were cautious. We could have pushed him, but it was risky. Rather than taking risks, it was the case for Brian (Brobbey) as well.
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“Brian can go all the way, but because we pushed until the end rather than keeping 65-70 minutes because it was the load expected. At the minute, we are struggling a bit. We are just on the edge, but we try our best to keep the team safe.
“Dan (Ballard) had discomfort with his hamstring, so we hope it isn't too serious. We expect Enzo (Le Fee) to be ready for Newcastle, it might be possible. For Nilson (Angulo), we'll have to wait at least four to six weeks. Reinildo will train with us tomorrow, so that’s good news.
“Nordi (Mukiele) is getting better, we'll see for next week. It's always the same: you can take the risk, he might play against Newcastle, but if we lose him for eight weeks after, it doesn't make sense. We are always on the edge so we'll try to manage the situation properly.”
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