RLB has made a significant number of changes to his side to face Torreense on Thursday evening
Timur Tutierov makes his first senior Sunderland start in Leiria on Thursday night.
The Ukrainian looks set to lead the line for the Black Cats having previously only made one appearance the club from the bench in a Carabao Cup game against Hull City earlier this season. Wilson Isidor is absent due to a knock picked up in the 2-0 defeat to Brighton last weekend and while Brian Brobbey is on the bench, Le Bris has opted not to risk him from the start. Tutierov usually plays off the left and could reprise that role here, but has played up front for the U21s and for the senior team at times during pre-season.
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As expected, Le Bris has heavily rotated his side with Tutierov one of six changes. Granit Xhaka has been rested with Jules Ahoka coming into the side, while Malick Fofana also starts following Thomas Meunier's hamstring injury. Trai Hume keeps his place with Nordi Mukiuele absent, but the rest of the back four has been changed with Luke O'Nien and Omar Alderete coming back into the side.
Le Bris had heavily hinted in his pre-match press conference that he would not risk Brobbey or Diarra from the start, stressing that they needed to be managed with the demanding schdule ahead in mind.
He said: “Brian travelled with the squad, Habib as well. They've be involved more or less quickly but we need to make sure the process is respected to make sure they'll be available for the season.”
Sunderland XI: Roefs; Hume, O'Nien, Alderete, Methalie; Ahoka, Sadiki, Rigg; Angulo, Fofana, Tutierov
Subs: Moore, Mukiele, Brobbey, Diarra, Le Fée, Reinildo, Proctor, Ogunsuyi
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