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Sunderland head to Bristol City on Friday afternoon having already a guaranteed a play-off place with Liam Manning’s side currently in fifth.
Sunderland and Bristol City head into Friday’s meeting adjacent in the Championship table, but their respective fortunes are drastically different.
Liam Manning’s side are battling to confirm their spot in the play-offs, which Regis Le Bris’ side managed to do last week with five games to go.
Sunderland fans have two schools of thought over how Le Bris should approach the Robins clash with their play-off fate certain; does he go full throttle to gain momentum or wrap his best in cotton wool for the last four league outings.
Le Bris’ admission in his pre-Bristol City press conference has shed some light on how he will line Sunderland up at Ashton Gate, much to the delight of his opposite number.
Sunderland boss shares Enzo Le Fee and Jobe Bellingham updates
Roma loanee Enzo Le Fee has recently returned from the Sunderland sidelines with his cameos against Norwich and Swansea.
Le Fee’s injection of life into Sunderland’s lacklustre Swansea display saw some fans claim he’s their only hope for the play-offs. Le Bris admitted Sunderland “struggled” to create against Alan Sheehan’s side and Le Fee’s reintroduction to the fold is a welcome one on Wearside.
However, in his pre-Bristol City press conference, Le Bris explained that he will be wrapping the Frenchman up in cotton wool prior to the play-off campaign.
Le Bris said: “Enzo (Le Fee) is ok now. We know that Enzo can really help the team, because he’s really talented, really well connected with the team. But we didn’t want to rush the process.
“OK, maybe he could have started against Swansea. Maybe the output of the game should have been different.
“But it’s not our main purpose. We want to build gradually the process. And it was the right decision.”
Young Player of the season nominee Jobe Bellingham’s absence was sorely felt in the Black Cats’ midfield in their recent outings.
The Black Cats boss revealed that the dynamic midfielder is back in contention to feature ahead of the Bristol City visit, but not from the off.
Le Bris added: “Jobe (Bellingham) will be available, but probably won’t be a starter. It was important for him to recover properly.
“We have to manage the players’ bodies and not rush the process, like Jobe and Enzo. Probably because of this, the last few results haven’t been as good as expected, but we are still fourth, the play-offs are secured, and now we’re at another stage in the season.”
Bristol City promise to be difficult for Sunderland, and Le Bris is well aware the quality Manning’s side possess this season, but his priorities are clear heading into Friday’s affair.
Regis Le Bris is playing it smart with Sunderland squad ahead of play-offs
Le Bris’ coaching intelligence is one of the reasons the Sunderland boss is up for Manager of the Season.
Last time Sunderland were in the play-offs, Tony Mowbray’s semi-final side were depleted by injuries, forcing the now-West Brom boss to then use Patrick Roberts as a makeshift full-back.
Le Bris’ cautious approach with stars returning from injuries has seen the Black Cats pick up only a point from the last six on offer. A sacrifice worth making for the Frenchman to ensure a fully-fit squad is at his disposal for the play-off campaign.
Le Bris added: “Leo (Hjelde) and Salis (Abdul Samed) will also both be available. Hopefully Dennis (Cirkin) will be on the bench on Monday,
“It’s good news that many players will be back soon, and a little bit later we will have Dan Ballard back in training sessions too.”
Sunderland’s season has stuttered of late and the catch-22 situation Le Bris has been in between injuries and form has blighted the Black Cats’ run-in form.
Le Bris is intent for Sunderland to take some hits, to their results and points tally, during the final four league clashes if it means they can come out swinging in the semi finals.