Sunderland fans split on massive Régis Le Bris selection call ahead of Plymouth Argyle game

Sunderland return to action against Plymouth Argyle in the Championship after the international break.

The Black Cats under head coach Régis Le Bris aim to win the five league games of a season for the first time in the club’s history. Wayne Rooney’s Pilgrims haven’t won in the Championship yet this campaign with Sunderland set to make the long trip south to Home Park.

Ahead of the game, however, Le Bris faces an interesting selection headache. Against Burnley, Sunderland’s team captain Dan Neil picked up two yellows at the Stadium of Light and missed the win against Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Alan Browne replaced Neil in the middle alongside Jobe and Chris Rigg and found himself on the scoresheet as Sunderland eased to a 3-1 win. With Neil available for the clash against Plymouth, though, it will be interesting to see what Le Bris does.

Browne, Jobe and Rigg are all away on international duty this week but with new signings Salis Abdul Samed and Milan Aleksic now at the club, there is intense competition for Sunderland in midfield areas with nobody’s spot guaranteed.

The Echo conducted a poll on X to gauge Sunderland fans’ opinion. We asked: Should Dan Neil come straight back in against Plymouth Argyle? The results were very mixed with 56 per cent of the 1,514 supporters saying yes and 44 per cent responding with no.

Macca added: “This a good problem to have but no one deserves to be drop/rested for Neil to start.”

Adam Guest said: “It's a great headache. But seeing Browne and Jobe are both off on international duty, I think one of them will be rested.”

Jack Pettimore explained: “Very difficult one, he was a big presence in the 3 games before and he’s team captain, but can you really drop Browne or Rigg.”

Stu Tench responded: “Dan is outstanding and really important in the way we play and control the midfield. But, for me, you don't change a winning team and the fact no one is an automatic pick culture should increase standards and competition.”

The Echo has launched a new WhatsApp SAFC Channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone. Simply click this link to join our SAFC WhatsApp channel.

Dave Johnson argued: “No, he needs to play his way back into team captain or not. His indiscipline could have cost us against Burnley and Rigg and Browne were outstanding on Saturday.”

Jack Dunn explained: “Browne Jobe and Rigg all off on international plus the fact that Neil is captain, I think he will definitely come in, perhaps for Rigg, Browne has experience of playing lots of games per season but Rigg doesn’t yet with international, perhaps the new players could play.”

Mark Swinney claimed: “It gives Le Bris a big decision to make but I think he'll bring Dan Neil back and rest/rotate one of Jobe or Rigg. Nice to see a bit of depth in the midfield area now.”

Richie Lumsdon added: “All three who started on Saturday are away on International duty. I'd imagine he'll mix it up for the Plymouth game with Neil and maybe one of the new boys coming in as well.”