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...
5. LB - Reinildo
Dayann Methalie is suspended from the Ligue 1 campaign, though in truth Le Bris would likely have retained his place in the starting XI egardless. | Chris Fryatt, Sunderland Echo
6. CM - Granit Xhaka
Sunderland's talisman has a key role to play as the Black Cats look to get back to winning ways on home turf.
7. CM - Noah Sadiki
Sadiki was one of Sunderland's better players at Ipswich Town and will hope to build on that promising display here. | AFP via Getty Images
8. CM - Enzo Le Fee
Le Fee has been one of Sunderland's key players over the past year, and particularly influential since moving back into a central role. | Chris Fryatt, Echo