Régis Le Bris signals continuity in Sunderland XI for Premier League opener at Ipswich Town | OneFootball

Régis Le Bris expects Sunderland's opening-day XI to resemble the side that finished last season strongly, with incumbents keeping shirts if pre-season standards hold.

According to Sunderland Echo, Sunderland took eight points from their final four matches to secure seventh place and Europa League football, and the head coach views continuity as the platform while competition remains.

On the US tour, he has told players that places are available, but those who ended the campaign are in possession if they maintain levels, citing encouraging displays against Chelsea, Everton, Manchester United and Wolves.

He praised workflow, training intensity, ambition and standards, stressing that nothing is settled yet, though the group benefits from momentum built late last season.

Thomas Meunier has arrived at right back, and Sunderland remain keen to reinforce on the right wing and at left back, which could influence selections before the opener.

Despite two defeats so far on the US tour, Le Bris is encouraged by progress, saying familiarity has them ahead of one year ago, with greater shared knowledge and more automatic behaviours.

Sunderland finish the trip against Wrexham on Sunday, and Le Bris plans to field a different XI in each half to spread minutes across the squad.

Source: Sunderland Echo