Three months after that famous final-day win over Chelsea, Sunderland are back in competitive action on Saturday afternoon.
A historic campaign begins at Portman Road, with a tricky test for Le Bris’s side against newly-promoted Ipswich Town. The Sunderland head coach has some big decisions to make, with a relatively clean bill of health but a number of players not quite at their maximum in terms of match fitness. So here’s what we think Le Bris might go with, and who is likely to be on the bench with a big part to play...
1. GK - Robin Roefs
Roefs signed a new contract at Sunderland earlier this week and is firmly established as the club's number one. Will be hoping to get his first clean sheet of the campaign on Sunday. | Getty Images
2. RB - Nordi Mukiele
Thomas Meunier had an excellent debut on a tough day at Ipswich and so it would be harsh in the extreme for him to drop out of the side. Mukiele is working his way back towards fitness so could be on the bench again, but is such a key player that Le Bris will want to bring him back in if possible. | Getty Images
3. CB - Dan Ballard
Didn't have his best game at Ipswich Town last week but has been a key pillar in Le Bris's side ever since his arrival and sure to continue here. | AFP via Getty Images
4. CB - Omar Alderete
Alderete is rebuilding his match fitness after a knee injury and it's a tough call for Le Bris after both he and Luke O'Nien struggled on opening day. Alderete was a key player last season so could well return here. | Sunderland's Omar Alderete. Photo by Chris Fryatt.