The perfect example Dan Neil set at Sunderland this week and Régis Le Bris's strong midfield selection hint

Régis Le Bris has praised Dan Neil for setting a perfect example to the Sunderland dressing room this week.

Neil gave away a penalty in the latter stages of the defeat to Watford at Vicarage Road last Saturday, speaking to club media after the game to acknowledge his mistake. The 22-year-old responded with a strong showing as Sunderland bounced straight back to winning ways against Derby County days later, after an open analysis of the penalty incident at the Academy of Light.

Le Bris reiterated his view that there had been a number of errors across the team in the build up to the foul and praised his young midfield for the maturity they showed in the second half at the Stadium of Light.

"It's a good example of the learning process," Le Bris said.

"In the meeting room, we can talk about a huge mistake because it was, but not just the one who makes the final action. When you watch it back, there is a lot in the collective behaviour that can be improved. But yes at the end you have to make a decision and that was not the right one. But we are able to talk about it comfortably, we can learn from it and then the game after, Dan is really good. This is a good example for the captain to set to his team, that he can face the criticism and learn from that experience and in the next game deliver.

"He is one of the best players we have on the ball and you can see on Tuesday how well the situation was managed. On the bench we feel that maybe we can do some things better but on the pitch, they are very comfortable and explained how the decided to manage the game [on the pitch]. We can trust them.

"The midfield is very young but I don't think age means mature. These players are young but they are mature in how they understand the game and manage situations. I'm very happy with them."

Le Bris is unlikely to make any changes to his midfield for Leeds United's visit on Friday night, stating that he believes Chris Rigg can handle a third start in six days despite his inexperience.

“I think he is capable of doing it," Le Bris said.

"This experience is very useful for Riggy and the whole team because when you have three games in a row with only three days to recover, you cannot just play with energy alone. You have to play with your head and your mind. Instead of thinking this is a difficult part of the season and you complain maybe. No, it is a good opportunity to grow and to find new solutions to perform.

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“For Riggy, because he is a robust player, he can play three or four games but to be efficient he will need to be clever and it is an opportunity to test that attainment.”

Alan Browne is likely to be play a key role as a substitute after recovering from a minor knee problem.