RLB POST BREAK

Sunderland's Premier League campaign resumes on Saturday after an international break which felt like it lasted forever. Regis Le Bris spoke about the players signed on deadline day, his training sessions with the players who didn't go away with their country and also gave the latest injury update on Dan Ballard and Romaine Mundle...

LATE SIGNINGS

"Yeah, we signed three new players just at the end in Brian Brobbey, Bertrand Traore and Lutsha (Geertruida). So it’s three new players for more depth in the squad, a bit more competition as well and it will be important for the group."

RATE THE WINDOW OUT OF TEN?

"I don't know! What I do know is that we worked hard as a club. Every person involved in the process was very important and there were many players signed. It was important to reinforce the squad for the new challenge and after that, the competition and the journey will tell. The output will be really interesting but at the minute we are really positive."

PLAYER RECRUITMENT

"It started with the first connection because I was involved in the process. I analysed the player and I spoke with them, so the connection started at that moment, and then they decided to join us. It was a long process. And then, here, I think it's just a question of relationship. I try to be close to them, to welcome them and then to introduce progressively the different layers of the game model. We try to stay simple because it's not like it’s a big machine, we just have to have two or three simple rules and then play and exploit their talent."

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

"It is important from a ‘level’ perspective but from a ‘leadership’ perspective I think it's really important as well. When you have strong experience at different levels, you can help your teammates through different periods, ups and downs, and I think that is really useful."

VERSATILITY

"It's a good idea, Arthur (Masuaku) as a right back? Yes, why not? I think these players at this level can master different roles and it's not just about the position, it's about different tasks during the game. The more versatile you are, the more useful it is for the squad. They are adaptive, I think that's the main word. If you are adaptive in the position and adaptive to get opportunities during the game then it's more positive."

CORE TRAINING GROUP

"I think it was positive for the eight or nine players we had during this period. We were closer and it was easier to manage different kinds of practises and to have many connections with them."

SECOND HOME HERE?

"Yes, more or less! The time I have spent here, I’m feeling really comfortable in this club. It makes it easier."

INJURED DUO

"[Ballard] probably for Aston Villa. [Mundle] probably next international break, in October."