The Sunderland head coach has issued a firm response to reports linking Wilson Isidor with a summer exit

Régis Le Bris drew a firm line under any speculation linking Wilson Isidor with a summer exit from Sunderland.

Isidor has drawn interest from a number of clubs this summer as he enters the final two years of his contract, with Ipswich Town and Hull City the latest to be linked with a move in recent days. Isidor was frustrated with his lack of starts last season but finished in strong form and Le Bris is adamant that he has a big role to play this season.

Isidor offered a reminder of his quality with an excellent first-time finish to secure a 2-0 win over RC Lens on Saturday, and Le Bris says he understands his role in the squad and is prepared to be patient.

"There is no speculation, you can write it," Le Bris said.

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"He is staying, absolutely. He's happy, he knows his role. Obviously with 55 games we can't afford to play with one striker, so at the beginning of the season.. it is the same for Habib [Diarra]... We got strong momentum at the end of the season, so the starting XI deserved to go again because they got this credit, but the others were strong also during the season and we need them during this big challenge ahead, so we need them and Wilson is excellent."

Isidor scored six goals last season but an expanded schedule means he is likely to earn more minutes this season.

Régis Le Bris delivers verdict on Sunderland win over RC Lens

Le Bris is pleased with the progress of his side as they stepped up their preparations for the new season with a win over a side who finished second in Ligue 1 last season and claimed the Coupe de France.

“We had good control in this game, we wanted to press high, manage their build-up and be able to dominate this phase, I think it worked well,” he said

“They were mobile, so it was a good practise for the next stage of the season, we were dominant to regain possession high, which is good, our build-up under their pressure was efficient as well, so happy about that, happy with the level of the squad and the players connecting progressively with the squad, the World Cup players for example, they got minutes today, and we feel that the core of the squad, who started earlier, is already good, so they can join and find the good rhythm.

we were away, a good stadium, with a good atmosphere, so it wasn't a league game, but they pushed and it was important for us, and we found a solution to beat their press with our subs as well. I think it's key in this season to build not only 11 players, but 16, 17, 18, ready to play and to achieve.”

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