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...
13. Sub - Luke O'Nien
Le Bris might well continue with O'Nien as Alderete rebuilds his match fitness, and has a lot of belief in the club stalwart. | AFP via Getty Images
14. Sub - Thomas Meunier
Meunier was excellent at Ipswich last week and so will be a crucial player here, whether it be as a starter or coming off the bench. | AFP via Getty Images
15. Sub - Chemsdine Talbi
Talbi was really unfortunate to miss out on the starting XI last weekend but has an important part to play in this game. | Matt McNulty/Getty Images
16. Sub - Habib Diarra
Le Bris has admitted that Diarra will have to be patient at the start of the campaign but he is a big part of the club's plans and will likely get some minutes from the bench, as he did at Ipswich. | Getty Images