3 Sunderland players impressing & one with a point to prove in Dinamo Zagreb tie

Regis Le Bris is facing some big calls ahead of Sunderland’s Europa League clash with Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb as the Black Cats boss continues to juggle with his squad.

Qualifying for European competition for only the second time in the club’s history has provided the former Lorient boss with a sizeable challenge as he balances competing in UEFA’s secondary club competition with aiming to progress in domestic cup competitions and impress in the Premier League. It has been a challenging opening to his third season in charge at the Stadium of Light - but there are some big plus points for Le Bris as he prepares his side for matchday four of their Europa League adventure.

Currently shining: Timur Tutierov

Injuries and suspensions can often provide unexpected opportunities and that is certainly the case for Tutierov. The Ukrainian youngster impressed during pre-season and he has carried that into the competitive action. After scoring his first senior goal in a 1-1 draw with Lech Poznan in Sunderland’s last Europa League outing, Tutierov also found the net in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup win against Brentford and will now hope to continue impressing Le Bris when his side return to European action on Thursday.

Currently shining: Nordi Mukiele

Whether playing at centre back or right back, the former PSG and RB Leipzig defender has impressed during the first two and a half months of the season and has built on the momentum gained during his first year on Wearside. Although several of his defensive counterparts have struggled in recent weeks, Mukiele has firmly established himself as one the key figures within the Black Cats side.

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Currently shining: Jocelin Ta Bi

As stated by The Echo’s James Copley earlier this week, Ta Bi may have made a slow start to the midweek win against Brentford - but he more than made up for it as he played a part in all three of the Black Cats goals during the game and provided the assists for Timur Tutierov and Malick Fofana to find the net. The Ivory Coast Under-20 international will now hope that performance can act as a launchpad for his Sunderland career.

A point to prove: Chris Rigg

The Academy of Light product remains one of the brightest prospects to have emerged from the club’s youth system in recent years and remains highly thought of within Le Bris’ coaching staff. However, there can be no question the England Under-20 international has struggled to make an impact during the season and has made just four starts in all competitions during the campaign and has remained as an unused substitute in four Premier League games during that time. The Europa League could provide Rigg with an opportunity to impress Le Bris and persuade the Black Cats boss to make him a more permanent fixture in his starting eleven over the coming weeks and months.

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