Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Saturday’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace at Stadium of Light (kick-off 15:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Le Bris confirmed Arthur Masuaku and Bertrand Traore are injured and could be out for weeks.
On whether injuries have forced them to act in the January transfer window: “I don’t think it’s connected. We expect probably a three-to-four week time frame so we won’t rush the process because it’s better to give the strong rehabilitation programme, and they will be back soon, so it’s not already well connected, and we have other options because we worked without him [Bertrand Traore] for almost four weeks.”
Le Bris stated that the last few weeks were a “busy period without six or seven players”, but reiterated that the players did “really well” and showed “good level of composure”.
On players returning from Afcon: “I think they are happy to be back, and the players here, we are happy to have them once again in the group. Only two are missing now, Chemsdine [Talbi] and Habib [Diarra], which is good for them in one point. So now it’s a question of playing and carrying this momentum to get better.”
The Sunderland boss revealed that they have their “own targets” when it comes to survival in the Premier League, which is to “reach those 40 points”. He added that if that is achieved, then they will “set another one straight away”.
On Dan Ballard winning North East Football Writers’ Player of the Year: “Decent year for him and for the club. And he stepped up in the Premier League, so it’s still a question mark before this step in a new league, probably the biggest in the world, so he showed that he was able to play at that level with great consistency, without injuries as well, because it’s still a question as well, to be consistent. So happy for him, and I think it’s fully deserved.”
On Crystal Palace: “When you have a bad period, you always want to react, so it shows once again how tough and demanding it is this league. So they struggle in the FA Cup, but they are not in a good run, they have a strong group, they are well coached, good experience, and they are struggling. So it shows that it’s tough to play in this league, and a reaction can happen like a snap everywhere, so we don’t expect anything from them. It’s really clear to stay focused on our strength, the way we want to play with the energy, the humility, and the creative work.”
Listen to Regis le Bris on BBC Sounds
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