CRACKER XHAKA

Le Bris chose skipper after 10 minutes in training

- by IAN MURTAGH

REGIS LE BRIS revealed it took him just 10 minutes watching Granit Xhaka on the training pitch to decide to make him Sunderland's captain this season.

While it is a blow for local lad Dan Neil, who skippered his hometown club to promotion last season, Le Bris insists Xhaka was an obvious choice.

The Swiss international, 32, wore the armband at all his former clubs and captains his country.

Explaining the decision, the Black Cats chief said: “It was really natural because of his level, his experience and his understanding of the game.

“After just 10 minutes on the pitch, it was easy to feel he would be our captain."