Régis Le Bris hands Meunier full debut for Sunderland at Ipswich | OneFootball

Régis Le Bris has handed Thomas Meunier his full Sunderland debut as the Premier League campaign begins at Portman Road on Saturday afternoon. Trai Hume continues on the right wing.

According to Sunderland Echo, Nilson Angulo starts on the left ahead of Chemsdine Talbi, with Romaine Mundle among the substitutes. Luke O’Nien partners Dan Ballard in central defence ahead of Omar Alderete, while Nordi Mukiele is also on the bench.

Meunier featured for only 45 minutes in pre-season after his Belgium duties, but trained fully this week and impressed against RC Lens a fortnight ago. Le Bris said before kick-off that everyone was available except Simon Adingra, though game time could vary given differing fitness levels.

Dayann Methalie is not involved after completing his move from Toulouse on Friday afternoon.

Sunderland XI: Roefs; Meunier, Ballard, O’Nien, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fée; Hume, Angulo, Brobbey.

Subs: Ellborg, Mukiele, Alderete, Isidor, Talbi, Diarra, Rigg, Mundle, Ta Bi.

For Ipswich, former Sunderland winger Jack Clarke is on the bench. Gary O’Neil throws Julio Enciso straight in for a full debut after his arrival from RC Strasbourg earlier this week, while Florentino Luís misses out despite expectations he would be passed fit after his move from Burnley.

Source: Sunderland Echo

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