The international break is a much-needed reset for Sunderland. When they return, Regis Le Bris must lean on a few key players more to maximize his squad’s potential.
Sunderland’s recent form has been inconsistent. After losses to Leeds and Hull, back-to-back wins against Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff revived hopes of automatic promotion. However, a draw against Preston and a crushing 3-0 defeat to Coventry have all but confirmed their place in the play-offs.
The team appears stuck in fourth place, raising concerns about motivation. However, Regis Le Bris has pointed to squad fatigue as a key issue, with several players logging heavy minutes this season. To address this, he must turn to fresh legs in the final stretch.
Jenson Seelt
The young Dutch defender finally made his debut under Le Bris last weekend, though only briefly. After undergoing knee surgery a year ago, his recovery has been slow and frustrating.
With injuries to Aji Alese and Dan Ballard, Sunderland’s defense has been stretched thin, forcing Chris Mepham and Luke O’Nien to play nearly every game. Now that Seelt is fit, Le Bris must gradually integrate him into the lineup, allowing Mepham and O’Nien some much-needed rest ahead of the play-offs.
Leo Hjelde
Hjelde turned down a January exit, and Sunderland should be grateful he stayed. Despite a minor injury last week, his versatility makes him a crucial asset for Le Bris.
Capable of playing both left-back and center-back, Hjelde can step in for either Mepham, O’Nien, or Dennis Cirkin, who has been battling fitness issues. Of all the players who need more game time, Hjelde seems the most likely to get it.
Alan Browne
After missing three months with a broken leg, Browne has been eager to return. However, Le Bris raised eyebrows by deploying him on the right wing against Coventry—a decision that backfired. Browne is a central midfielder, and that’s where he belongs.
With Dan Neil, Jobe Bellingham, and Chris Rigg showing signs of exhaustion, it’s time to use Browne in midfield. Resting key players now could maximize their impact when it matters most.
Milan Aleksic
Of all the players who need more minutes, Aleksic is probably the lowest priority. The young Serbian remains raw, and Le Bris has been hesitant to rely on him this season.
However, with Ian Poveda and Salis Abdul Samed injured, Aleksic has moved up the pecking order. He has impressed for the U21s, and if given a chance, he could emerge as a surprise contributor in Sunderland’s play-off push.
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