Le Bris provides update on Sunderland star’s availability ahead of Brighton clash | OneFootball

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris says Habib Diarra could be back involved with the squad to face Brighton on Saturday.

The midfielder has not played since September because of a groin injury, but has been named in the Senegal squad for the Africa Cup of Nations which starts this month.

Le Bris says should he not suffer any setbacks, he will then travel to Morocco for the tournament.

“He might be with us for Brighton,” Le Bris said.

“That will be the end of his rehab process. If it’s all positive then he will be able to leave with his national team.”

Sunderland have already lost several players to the tournament, including Arthur Masuaku, Noah Sadiki, Reinildo, Chemsdine Talbi and Bertrand Traore.

But Simon Adingra was not called up to the Ivory Coast squad so will remain with the Black Cats.

“We’ll have different opportunities for the players who didn’t play a lot so far,” Le Bris said on losing players to AFCON.

“We have no injuries at the minute which is really positive and we hope will be the case for this period.

“The team will be a bit different but I think for the players with less game time, they knew before that this period will come and they are ready because they trained properly, they are well connected with the squad and now we’ll see.”