Sunderland defender Trai Hume has attracted interest ahead of the transfer deadline
Régis Le Bris says Trai Hume has a huge part to play at Sunderland this season despite speculation linking him with a summer move to Everton.
ESPN reported that Everton, who are eager to sign a right back before the deadline on Tuesday night (11pm), have identified Hume as a top target. While careful not to rule out a move entirely, the Sunderland head coach could not have made any clearer that the club are eager to keep Hume.
The Northern Ireland international featured in every Premier League game for Sunderland last season and has been crucial again through the pre-season period.
Asked if he was a key part of his plans this summer, Le Bris said: "Absolutely.
"You never know in football or life but for me there's no question [of him leaving].”
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Le Bris said he expects Hume to play in a number of different positions over the course of the campaign but said that the 24-year-old was making a crucial contribution to the team from his newer right-wing position. While that decision continues to be a source of division amongst fans, Le Bris insists that is benefiting the team as a whole.
"The journey will be so long this season, we enjoy his flexibility," Le Bris said.
"It's so good to have a player like him. He can play right-back in a back four, wing-back, right winger, midfielder. The connection with Nordi and Thomas is really good.
"We know that Nordi and Thomas have really good volume, they can run all day and exploit the wide areas. So to keep the balance, the connection with Trai is really important. It's key because he can feel when he needs to drop to allow say Nordi to go forward and attack and the balance is always maintained on this side.
"Often it's said Trai is not a winger. That's true - he's something different and the connection on our right side is brilliant.
"We can still be better, it's possible, but at the minute it's strong if you think about the goal against Chelsea, we play with Trai on this side and Trai scored."