Le Bris open to conversations with Sunderland fringe stars

Régis Le Bris says Sunderland will hold talks with a number of players next week to determine whether a January departure, whether on loan or in a permanent deal, is the right course of action.

- by Phil Smith

Sunderland are hoping to strengthen their squad this month though after a busy summer recruitment drive, only a very small number of additions are expected. It is expected to be far busier in terms of outgoings, with fullback Timothée Pembélé joining Le Havre on loan this week.

Pembélé was one of a handful of players not part of the squad this season who are free to depart, but those who have been part of Le Bris's plans, but not had much game time are still waiting for a final decision to be made.

With Sunderland's AFCON contingent set to be begin returning over the course of the next week and the fixture schedule returning to normality, decisions can then be made on additional outgoings.