Le Bris pays tribute to Cats' 'collective spirit'

REGIS Le Bris praised Sunderland's performance, collective spirit and defensive resilience after a goalless draw at Brighton secured a second consecutive Premier League clean sheet.

- By CLIVE YOULTON Football writer

The Frenchman was forced into making four changes to his starting XI, with the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations now underway and key players having departed for the tournament.

Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi, Reinildo Mandava and Bertrand Traore are all away with their respective countries to prepare for AFCON, while midfielder Habib Diarra is poised to increase the total to five by linking up with Senegal.

Despite the alterations from the side that defeated Newcastle United in the Wear-Tyne derby last Sunday, Sunderland acquitted themselves well and could have taken the lead, with chances falling to Brian Brobbey and Dan Ballard in the opening 45 minutes.