Le Bris on the futures of Sunderland duo and the January transfer window | OneFootball

Regis Le Bris says he wants Luke O’Nien to stay at Sunderland, and praised the attitude of the 31-year-old.

O’Nien told reporters after playing in Sunderland’s FA Cup win over Everton that he was “going nowhere” – and Le Bris says he is aligned with the defender.

“We are aligned,” he said. “Fully aligned.

“I think he played really well against Everton so we’re really pleased because it shows once again, even if you don’t play, you are still important in the dressing room, on the training pitch as well and when you are training properly with the ambition to play, you can be frustrated, it’s normal, but when the opportunity comes you are ready.”

But Le Bris admits he is unsure on the future of midfielder Dan Neil, who is out of contract at the end of this season.

“He is in a specific start part of his career, it’s true, but at the same time you have to make a choice,” Le Bris said on the 24-year-old’s future.

“It’s not only your choice because it’s connected with another project.

“At the minute, he’s still in Sunderland.

“It’s a tough position because we want to respect everyone.

“You don’t know what you can expect from the market so it’s tough to say.”

The Sunderland boss did, however, admit departures are possible this month and says the club are also working hard on bringing in some new faces.

“Outgoing players are still possible,” he said. “The conversation is still open for them and for us.

“And if we can strengthen the group with one, two or three profiles depending on the outgoing players, we will try.

“But this market is tough and unpredictable. We are working hard behind the scenes, we are fully aligned and have composure.

“We’ll try our best.”