Régis Le Bris
Sunderland are looking to bolster their squad during the upcoming January transfer window, with manager Régis Le Bris indicating a desire to strengthen “two or three” positions. Despite the ambition to enhance the team, Le Bris emphasized that the club is not in a hurry to make early moves, aiming instead to maintain the balance and spirit within the dressing room.
Régis Le Bris said: “I don’t think we’ll rush this process, because we are in a good place, I think, and it’s really important to find the right player to fit with our system, so it’s always a question of different elements, because you have the player, you have the club, you have us, and so it’s not an easy task, we’ll see. When we say two or three spots in the squad, that means that our focus is orientated on these positions. But we don’t know if we will find the right targets. So you know that maybe you can reinforce this part of the squad, this part, this part. At the end, maybe we will have zero, or one, or two, or three. We don’t know, because it’s connected as well with the outgoing players. So we’ll see.”
Le Bris further highlighted the complexities of the winter transfer market, noting that the club must remain adaptable due to the unique challenges it presents. The manager refrained from specifying which positions Sunderland are targeting, acknowledging the unpredictability of player availability during this period.
Le Bris added: “Not yet, because this market is a bit different. During the winter it’s a bit different, because some of the players who had less game time would like to move, but it means that they were not in good form. So is it obvious that they will connect quickly with us? We don’t know. So we’ll see.”
In addition to transfer plans, Le Bris provided an update on defender Dan Ballard, who recently sustained an ankle injury. Ballard, who missed the recent draw against Leeds United, is not expected to face Manchester City on New Year’s Day. However, a second scan confirmed that the injury is not severe, and he may return for the match against Spurs.
Le Bris commented: “Yeah, he’s getting better, but he won’t be available for the game tomorrow. We hope for the next fixture, so we’ll see, but it’s not serious.”
Sunderland’s strategic approach to the transfer window reflects their commitment to building on a strong first half of the season while ensuring team cohesion remains intact. The club’s cautious yet optimistic outlook suggests that any new additions will be carefully considered to align with their long-term goals.
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