Sunderland are back in action against Fulham on Sunday afternoon

Régis Le Bris has brought Nordi Mukiele back into the starting XI for Sunderland’s clash with Fulham at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

Mukiele comes into the side and is expected to play at centre back, with Luke O’Nien dropping to the bench. That is the only change made by the Sunderland head coach following the defeat to Ipswich Town last Saturday, with Nilson Angulo given another chance on the left flank.

Jules Ahoka could make his debut from the bench, and replaces Jocelin Ta Bi in the matchday squad. Dayann Methalie is unable to make his debut as he serves a one-game suspension carried over from the end of the Ligue 1 season with Toulouse.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Le Bris hinted he was unlikely to start Omar Alderete as he builds back to match fitness: “Omar had a different programme because of the World Cup and an early injury as well in the World Cup so he will be available as well, but you saw against Ipswich, he's not at his best right now which is normal in this time.”

Trai Hume continues in his role on the right flank, with Le Bris highlighting the importance of his work in that position to the overall balance of the side.

“The journey will be so long this season, we enjoy his flexibility,” Le Bris said.

“It's so good to have a player like him. He can play right-back in a back four, wing-back, right winger, midfielder. The connection with Nordi and Thomas is really good.

“We know that Nordi and Thomas have really good volume. They can run all day and exploit the wide areas. So to keep the balance, the connection with Trai is really important. It's key because he can feel when he needs to drop to allow say Nordi to go forward and attack.

The balance is always maintained on this side. Often it's said Trai is not a winger. That's true, he's something different. And the connection on our right side is brilliant. We can still be better, it's possible, but at the minute it's strong if you think about the goal against Chelsea.

“We play with Trai on this side and Trai scored.”

Sunderland XI: Roefs; Muenier, Mukiele, Ballard, Reinildo; Xhaka, Le Fee, Sadiki; Hume, Angulo, Brobbey

Subs: Ellborg, Alderete, O’Nien, Isidor, Ahoka, Diarra, Rigg, Mundle, Talbi