Le Bris outlines Jocelin Ta Bi plan and issues fitness update after January arrival | OneFootball

Régis Le Bris is hopeful January recruit Jocelin Ta Bi will be in full training within a fortnight. According to Sunderland Echo, the Sunderland head coach expects progress as the winger recovers from an ankle issue.

Sunderland moved quickly after a proposed switch to Celtic from Maccabi Netanyi stalled, paying a fee believed to be about £3.5 million for the 20-year-old Ivory Coast winger. The club are confident the injury is not a major problem.

Ta Bi has been working individually at the Academy of Light this week, and Le Bris views a short settling period as useful for adaptation.

He estimated two or three weeks to reach game fitness and said Ta Bi should train with the group in around 10 days. Le Bris does not want to set limits, saying any Premier League readiness will depend on how quickly he adapts, though he is not ruling out an impact this season.

Le Bris added that Habib Diarra and Chemsdine Talbi are back in training and could rejoin the squad at West Ham United on Saturday following the Africa Cup of Nations. He said Diarra only returned today and medical checks are ongoing, so availability for the next fixture remains hopeful, with the starting line-up to be decided closer to kick-off.

Source: Sunderland Echo