Régis Le Bris confirms squad plans for Bristol City match

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris is set to continue rotating his squad ahead of the crucial Good Friday clash with Bristol City, prioritizing player fitness as the team prepares for the play-off campaign. Key midfielder Enzo Le Fée, recently returned from a hamstring injury, is expected to feature more prominently but may still be eased in gradually rather than starting immediately. Le Bris has emphasized the importance of developing midfield triangles and increasing tactical flexibility before the play-offs, especially as several players, including Jobe Bellingham and Dennis Cirkin, are nearing returns from injury but may not start against Bristol City. The rotation strategy is partly due to recent injury crises, with several wingers and defenders sidelined, making it difficult to rest certain mainstays such as captain Dan Neil and defenders Trai Hume, Chris Mepham, and Luke O’Nien. While some fans have expressed concern over recent inconsistent performances, Le Bris remains focused on long-term squad health and readiness for the play-offs. The coach plans to revert to a more settled lineup for the final league games once key players are fully fit.