We'll stick together, stay connected and be a strong unit

SUNDERLAND duo Romaine Mundle and Aji Alese will miss the Championship play-off first leg at Coventry City tomorrow night but are expected to be available in the second leg.

- By CLIVE YOULTON Football writer

That's the message from head coach Regis Le Bris who says many of the squad will be involved in the two games but he is purely focused on the first.

The Frenchman also believes the players will be able to shrug off the last five defeats and go into the two matches against Frank Lampard's team full of confidence.

Asked whether he will have some difficult decisions with team selection and difficult discussions with players such as Dan Ballard, who has returned from injury, Le Bris said: "No, not really. I think we are all involved in the same objective. We know if we have different options, with different challenges, we hope with three games, we need every-one.