Régis Le Bris issues Sunderland team news update and outlines plan for Leeds United and Wrexham clashes
Sunderland are back in action in the early hours of Friday morning UK time as they take on Leeds United in New Jersey
Régis Le Bris has confirmed that Jocelin Ta Bi won't be able to join Sunderland's US tour this week.
Ta Bi had his visa application rejected last week and though the club appealed the decision, they are not expecting the situation to change. The Black Cats face Leeds United in New Jersey on Friday before concluding the tour against Wrexham in Pennsylvania.
The Sunderland head coach said it was a shame for the youngster, who would have had a major opportunity to impress. Le Bris confirmed that the cohort of players who have linked up with the squad this week following their World Cup commitments will have some involvement in the second half against Leeds.
"Yes, it's a shame because it was a good opportunity for him," Le Bris said.
“We didn't solve the visa problem. He will join next week with the squad in Sunderland.
“For the game time, we'll keep doing what we did, probably we'll push a few players until 60 minutes against Leeds. The players from the World Cup will join as well for maybe 30 minutes and we'll mix the squad like this for the first game. We'll have another opportunity against Wrexham, probably to go for 45-45, something like that. It's not one single rule [for every players] but it's more or less the main idea.
“The first group have started really well with a good atmosphere and with less players it helps to connect immediately and to design properly the load and the connection we can produce with them. They were really proactive, connected with the last games of the season, I think. The last part, the last month, we are really positive, so it helps when we restart. And then progressively we’ve got our players from the World Cup who are like new signings. And it's good because they feel that the first group is already in good shape and well connected with our principles and with clear ideas. So they just have to join and so it's great.”
Le Bris says he is encouraged by the progress of his side in the US and feels that the stability and understanding between the squad means they are further ahead than they were this time last year.
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"We feel this on the pitch," Le Bris said.
"It's really clear that now... this morning we worked for example on our build-up. The knowledge within the squad now is so high if we compare with one season before. So we are more efficient, the players understand them really quickly with automatic behaviours. So it's a big step, now you still have to refine according to the opposition. We'll play a good game against Leeds and then we'll see."