Sunderland are back in FA Cup action when they face Port Vale on Sunday afternoon

Régis Le Bris has admitted that Sunderland will be cautious with Granit Xhaka this weekend as they manage his comeback from an ankle injury and a tricky pitch at Port Vale.

Sunderland are well aware of the conditions at Vale Park, something referenced by Port Vale's own manager Jon Brady in the aftermath of their 1-0 win over Bristol City in midweek. Xhaka will be in the squad on Sunday, with Le Bris set to be without ten senior players due to injury and suspension, but his game time will be carefully managed.

Le Bris said: "Absolutely - For Granit, we still want to stick to the plan. Game time is the first condition, we don't want to rush that. He didn't start at Leeds, which means something.

"For Port Vale, it will probably be the same idea. We'll manage according to the game time and the pitch. We'll see.

"The group will be small but we still want to go strong - the best XI as possible. It's important for us and for the club and the fans. The group will be a bit different, yes, but still with 11, 12, 13 or 14 good players."

Le Bris also dropped a strong hint that Omar Alderete and Dan Ballard will continue in central defence as part of that 'strong' group, despite the pair not featuring in the fourth round win over Oxford United.

"For players like Dan and Omar, it was a different moment against Oxford," Le Bris said.

"They were both exhausted, but now they are in a good place. It's good for the squad because they were excellent against Leeds once again. They are ready to go."

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Le Bris: Pitch will be no excuse for Sunderland at Port Vale

Le Bris said the pitch would be no excuse for his players, who would be fully prepared and ready to adapt.

"It can't be an excuse," Le Bris said.

"We play the game full of energy. We have to adapt because you can't play, probably, especially next to your box. It's hard to play short because the level of risk is high, but you can't play football. You need to adapt because it's key in that game, but it's not so different. At the end, you have to find a solution. We play with the pitch, so I don't want to highlight too much this part of the game.

"You have to adapt and to find a solution, a creative solution. So we have to be pragmatic and with our qualities, the way the scenario, the connection between two teams will evolve. We never know. Football is still unpredictable. We'll have to find a solution. Is it through set-pieces, direct play, 1v1? The build-up into the midfield might be difficult, so you just have to adapt and find another solution."

Le Bris is confident his side will show the fighting spirit necessary after their excellent win against Leeds United in midweek.

"I think we are talking about basics," Le Bris said.

"If you're not able to suffer together, to defend together, to show that you want to win, you can't exist at that level. Is it in the Premier League or for that run in the FA Cup? If you don't put those values on the pitch, you will have problems. I think the players are really well connected with this competition. It started early against Everton.

"It was a tough week and they did really well. They pushed to win this game. In Oxford, they were disciplined and found a way to score when it was important to do it. They managed the late part of the game really well. They are ambitious and they understand that this competition is a bit different and you have the opportunity to go to Wembley really quickly. But it's still the same. They are experienced and they know that you have to earn it."

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