How Regis Le Bris will plug gap left by Sunderland AFCON departures

Eery challenge brings opportunity, and Sunderland are about to face a demanding period as the festive schedule approaches without a number of key players. Six members of the squad are either already away at the Africa Cup of Nations or, in Habib Diarra’s case, preparing to depart to join their national team in Morocco. A testing phase of the season that always felt inevitable has now arrived.

The absence of Reinildo Mandava, Arthur Masuaku, Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi, Bertrand Traore and Diarra is undeniably a setback. However, the situation also opens the door for players who have found minutes hard to come by this season to step forward and experience Premier League football.

Dennis Cirkin, now fully fit, could be called upon to fill in at left-back, while last season’s promotion-winning captain Dan Neil may finally get his chance at the top level. Chris Rigg could be trusted to cover for Sadiki, and Eliezer Mayenda may see increased involvement with Talbi and Traore unavailable.

Head coach Régis Le Bris knows changes will be unavoidable over the coming weeks, but insists the disruption does not have to derail Sunderland’s momentum after an impressive start to the campaign.

“We will have opportunities for players who haven’t played much so far,” Le Bris said ahead of the trip to Brighton. “At the moment we have no injuries, which is really positive, and hopefully that continues.

“The team will look a little different, but the players who have had less game time knew this period would come. They have trained well, stayed connected to the group and are ready. Now we’ll manage the matches and see how things develop.”

While players such as Neil, Rigg and Luke O’Nien may have been frustrated by limited involvement, Sunderland’s strong early-season form has made it easier to accept Le Bris’ reluctance to rotate unnecessarily.

“The team has performed very well,” he added. “That makes it easier for everyone to understand why changes haven’t been frequent. When competition is strong, you have to be patient, and the players understood that their chance would arrive.

“In the Premier League, with the level of our squad, competition is intense. It’s a positive situation to be in, especially compared to being in the Championship at a different level.”

Le Bris is not only considering personnel changes but also tactical adjustments to help guide his side through the AFCON period. While he often favoured a 4-3-3 last season, this campaign has already seen Sunderland switch between a flat back four, a back five, and hybrid systems that change during matches.

That flexibility could be crucial over the festive run. At Brighton, Sunderland may line up with a back four, potentially seeing Trai Hume deputise at left-back with Nordi Mukiele on the right. This would allow Lutsharel Geertruida to move into midfield in Sadiki’s absence. Alternatively, Geertruida could operate in a back three alongside Dan Ballard and Omar Alderete, with Mukiele and Hume used as wing-backs.

“I think our flexibility will really help,” Le Bris said. “The squad has a strong understanding right now, and the players are comfortable using different systems.

“It allows us to build game plans depending on the opponent. We have Brighton next, then Leeds, then Manchester City. Each game demands a different balance, and once you’re on the pitch, you have to adapt. At the moment, I have plenty of options available.”

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