Régis Le Bris names the Sunderland player firmly back in contention after impressing in training
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Régis Le Bris believes Aji Alese is ready to play a part for Sunderland at Millwall this weekend if required.
Alese made an impressive start to the campaign but picked up an injury after starring in the 1-0 win over Burnley in late August, and has not played any competitive football since then. However, he returned to full training over the course of the international break and is available for selection this weekend. The 23-year-old is short on match minutes but Le Bris says the signs from training have been very encouraging.
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Hide AdAnthony Patterson is also expected to return to the matchday squad after recovering from injury over the break, and is likely to take Simon Moore’s place in the starting XI.
"Aji and Anthony should be available,” Le Bris said.
“Aji has been very good in the training sessions. Of course, this is different to a game and competition. But he is looking very good.”
Elsewhere in his pre-match press conference, Le Bris confirmed that he expected to be without both Romaine Mundle and Alan Browne for a period of six to eight weeks. It leaves him with a number of major selection dilemmas as Trai Hume, Patrick Roberts and Jobe Bellingham are all suspended for Saturday’s game.
Le Bris also offered an update on the club’s longer-term injuries, saying: "With these three, Ian, Salis, Ahmed - it is too soon to know exactly when they will be on the pitch to train and then to play. The difference between the two can be quite subtle. But we are hoping that they will be on the pitch sometime in mid-December.”
Jenson Seelt is expected back sometime in January, while Niall Huggins will not return until some time next year.
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