The winners and losers of Sunderland's AFCON upheaval - and what it means for January plans

For the Sunderland players who struggled for regular game time in the first half of the campaign, the Africa Cup of Nations always felt like it had the potential to be a defining month.

For the club, too, it always looked like an important sequence of games as they weighed up decisions not just in this January transfer window but as they began to plan for the summer. Sunderland are not yet back to full strength, of course, with Habib Diarra and Chemsdine Talbi set to be absent for another week as they represent Senegal and Morocco in the final stages. With the fixture schedule easing and four of the six returning, however, it feels as if Sunderland have come through the most testing period.

So what have we learned about the squad - and how will it impact the club’s January business? Here we take a closer look…

GOOD MONTH

Dennis Cirkin

Has had a really good few weeks that could have boosted his long-term prospects at the club. That Cirkin has significant potential and ability was never in doubt, but there’s no guarantee how a player will cope with the step up and such a long spell on the sidelines due to injury added to the uncertainty.

The left back might never have had an opportunity were it not for an achilles injury to Dan Ballard, but he made a solid start against Leeds United and then shone against Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki. Cherki had tormented Sunderland in the reverse fixture, and so CIrkin’s solid display did not go unnoticed. He’s continued to build momentum in the games since and has proven that he can succeed at the level.

Whether it is enough to convince both parties to agree to a new, long-term deal remains to be seen - Reinildo remains first-choice and has been genuinely exceptional so far this season. From a Sunderland perspective, though, their preference will surely be to keep a player who still has plenty of room to grow and knows the club well rather than having to go out and recruit again.

This has been a big step in the right direction.

Eliezer Mayenda

This might seem a little odd given that Mayenda has not been able to get on the scoresheet over the course of the last month, but at the same time it feels as if he has moved much closer to the starting XI.

He coped well with the challenge of Man City, working tirelessly out of possession and causing problems on the ball at times. He was arguably Sunderland’s best player in an otherwise poor first half at Spurs, and then had a real impact off the bench at Brentford. His display at Everton was arguably his best of the season yet, given that he was leading the line on his own and without anyone else to occupy the opposition centre halves. Though Everton were missing a number of players, their backline was largely unaffected. To impress in two positions over the course of a few games was a big positive for Sunderland, and has surely shown to Le Bris that he can trust Mayenda with more minutes. On this evidence, the goals feel like a matter of time.

Lutsharel Geertruida

Geertruida has delivered a run of strong performances both in midfield and his preferred right back position. He really is a head coach’s dream, ready to step in wherever and whenever required. His permanent signing looks like an absolute no-brainer from a Sunderland perspective, though the player may still feel his position in the team long term is not yet clear. Being such a dependable utility player guarantees relatively regular opportunities, but prevent the kind of consistent run in one spot that players crave.

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BAD MONTH

Dan Neil

This is not a criticism of Neil - how can you impress when you don’t get the opportunity? Nor is it particularly a criticism of Le Bris, as his decision to turn to Geertruida first and foremost in midfield was vindicated by some strong displays. Slightly further forward, Enzo Le Fée has been exceptional and so impressive that record signing Habib Diarra will likely now have to wait for his chance to get in the team.

Sunderland’s win at Everton, however, seemed to underline that it is now a question of when rather than if Neil leaves the club. Rangers are interested in a move, though they did bolster their midfield over the weekend with a significant six-figure signing. With Neil now in the last six months of his contract, Rangers could of course agree a pre-contract deal. It feels as if the contract impasse has left Sunderland reluctant to give Neil the playing time to develop that others have enjoyed, and the injuries or suspensions that might have forced Le Bris’s hand haven’t happened. It is turning into a bit of a sad and protracted farewell, though Le Bris continues to praise Neil’s application in training.

Anthony Patterson

Sunderland’s desire to go with the strongest possible XI at Everton meant an expected opportunity for Patterson didn’t materialise. Robin Roefs would continue his staggeringly good debut season by saving all three of Everton’s penalties in the shootout.

Sunderland still believe that Patterson can be a top English goalkeeper but how on earth do you get past Roefs? A January departure still remains unlikely as Sunderland would need a replacement and a dependable one is not easy to find at this time of year, but it could be a different story in the summer.

SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN

Simon Adingra

This was a major opportunity for Adingra to impress and make the left-wing spot his own. Did he do it? Probably not to the extent he would have liked. There were some good moments, a fine performance against Leeds and a solid one away at Brighton. There were also a couple of below-par ones, and so it hasn’t quite been the transformative month both he and the club would have hoped for.

His work rate has largely been good and the flashes of quality encouraging, and there seems to be a real determination from Sunderland to give him the time he needs to settle and then thrive. He will need to improve, though, to keep his place in the team when Bertrand Traoré and Chemsdine Talbi return from AFCON.

Chris Rigg

Rigg’s return to the fold didn’t go as he would have hoped, not really able to impose himself on the games he played from the right wing. While it sometimes worked well in the Championship, Sunderland don’t really enjoy enough possession at his level for the youngster to roll infield and make things happen. Going 1-v-1 against opposition defenders isn’t his game and that has shown over the past month. There were flashes of his vast potential - some glorious sliding challenges and a wonderful chipped pass that Brian Brobbey should have converted against Leeds. You can’t say it’s been a bad month because Rigg is still only 18 and is gaining priceless experience in the toughest league in the world. It has been a step forward even if it hasn’t always looked like it. No need to panic, Rigg has time, talent and a great attitude. Has he moved closer to the starting XI when everyone is fit and available right now? Ultimately, you’d have to say not quite yet.

Luke O’Nien

The problem for O’Nien is that Sunderland’s defensive strength in depth is massive and there’s no obvious way into the side for him. The positive is that he took his chance to impress against Everton handsomely, arguably his team’s man of the match across 120 minutes before the penalty shootout. He has made clear that he does not want to leave this month and given this level of performance, you expect Sunderland will be quite happy with that and particularly given his importance in the dressing room.

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