Régis Le Bris weighing up four key Sunderland calls before Chelsea decider | OneFootball

Régis Le Bris weighs up key selection calls before Sunderland’s final-day trip to Chelsea, with Europe on the line. According to Sunderland Echo, fitness and balance are driving the decisions.

Omar Alderete aggravated a hip issue during the win at Everton and is being assessed this week. He has been an automatic pick for his defending and build-up, yet Luke O’Nien excelled off the bench at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Early call: O’Nien to start if Alderete is not 100%.

After Sunderland scored nine in two against Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, Trai Hume returned to a hybrid right-sided role that keeps a natural left winger wide and, crucially, pushes Enzo Le Fée back infield. Recent possession-heavy games have left Hume looking more like a conventional winger, which blunts his strengths. Early call: Hume keeps his place, though Chris Rigg or Habib Diarra are alternatives.

On the left, Chemsdine Talbi and Nilson Angulo are competing to start. Angulo earned Everton selection with superb training and did little wrong, while Talbi’s pace and directness make him a dangerous impact option, yet his campaign hints at a greater goal threat. Early call: Talbi to return.

Bertrand Traoré is first choice on the right when fully fit, but after a long AFCON-related knee lay-off he has missed the last two squads despite full training. Le Bris says the forward’s uncertain future will not sway selection, though late impact would be a big ask without minutes. The same applies to Jocelin Ta Bi, and the early call is Traoré to miss out.

Source: Sunderland Echo