Big decision for Le Bris over midfielder's future

SUNDERLAND could be facing a major decision over the future of captain Dan Neil after he remained as an unused substitute in Saturday's preseason friendly defeat against Real Betis.

- By MARK CARRUTHERS

Le Bris handed an immediate start to new signing Granit Xhaka after he joined the club in a deal believed to be worth around £17m earlier this week and the former Arsenal star was also handed the captain’s armband for the meeting with the La Liga outfit.

Xhaka was joined in midfield by fellow summer additions Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra, with Enzo Le Fee coming off the bench to replace the latter during the final half an hour of a somewhat low key contest at the Stadium of Light.

Current club captain Neil remained as an unused substitute as the game came to a close and Le Bris appeared to drop a major hint over the Academy of Light product's future as he assessed his options in midfield after the defeat.