Sunderland are back in Premier League action as they face Fulham this afternoon
Régis Le Bris has handed Jocelin Ta Bi a full Sunderland debut after his encouraging debut at Oxford United this week.
Le Bris has opted to take a cautious approach with Granit Xhaka on his return from an ankle injury, however, with the 33-year-old named on the bench. The Sunderland head coach hinted that he would have to manage Xhaka’s return after almost a month out in his pre-match press conference on Friday: “For Granit, we will have to be progressive and respect the process, but it is good because know we have all of our midfielders available.”
Le Bris’s decision means that Noah Sadiki will again play at the base of midfield, with Habib Diarra and Enzo Le Fée ahead of him. Ta Bi will play off the right flank, with Nilson Angulo given the nod on the left wing. Le Bris’s other big decision was who to play at left back in the absence of Reinildo. His decision looks to hjave been made by an injury issue to Dennis Cirkin, who is absent from the squad. Trai Hume moves to left back as a result, not his natural position but one which he has played on a number of occasions.
Sunderland XI: Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Hume; Sadiki, Le Fee, Diarra; Ta Bi, Angulo, Brobbey
Subs: Xhaka, Talbi, Isidor, Mayenda, Rigg, O’Nien, Ellborg, Geertruida, Mundle
Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney returns from injury to take his place on the bench for the visitors.
Régis Le Bris on Jocelin Ta Bi plan
Le Bris had made clear in his pre-match press conference that the winger was firmly in his thinking for Premier League action between now and the end of the season as he looks to manage his young group of wingers.
“He fits the profile and the identity,” Le Bris said.
“I believe for our wingers now, it's really hard to design a plan with three, four, five, six consecutive games because of the difficulty and the demand of the Premier League.It's more about two players for one position. One can start and the other can finish. Maybe you can start two or three games in a row, but you won't go all the way often. If we can combine two and two, they will grow and maybe they will find the right level of confidence.”
Sunderland are hopeful that Bertrand Traoré could resume full training after a knee injury next week.
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