REGIS Le Bris plans to ring the changes for Sunderland's Carabao Cup tie against Hull City on Tuesday night, with Dayann Methalie and Malick Fofana expected to make their first starts for the Black Cats.
But it's not clear at this stage whether deadline day signing Juan Angulo will be involved, with the Black Cats having spent the end of last week working to resolve a visa issue that prevented the teenager from being available for the weekend trip to Brentford.
There are no major problems with Angulo and it's just a matter of time until the issue is resolved, but Le Bris admitted Tuesday night's third round tie against the Tigers might come too soon.
Fofana and Methalie will almost certainly be in the starting XI, however, with Le Bris planning to take the opportunity to give crucial match minutes to those who need them.
Methalie was in the matchday squad for the first time at Brentford having served his one-match suspension but was an unused substitute.
Fofana came off the bench late on and showed some encouraging flashes and has already made a mark on Le Bris.
The head coach said: “The wingers are a bit special. They need a specific character, and we feel this confidence with Malick.
“It was the case with Nilson [Angulo], to be fair, as well, which is good. You feed them, you give them the ball, and you feel that they face the pressure.
"You think that something will happen here. They have to have this confidence and the ability to deliver as well. He showed these two qualities [at Brentford]. I hope it’s going to be really positive for him with us.”
Jules Ahoka is also likely to get the nod against Hull and make his first appearance for the Black Cats. Melker Ellborg, Luke O'Nien, Chris Rigg, Wilson Isidor and Trai Hume are others who are expected to come into the team.
“It’s a good opportunity to give minutes in a competitive game, which is very positive,” said Le Bris.
“We believe that we’ll change the team, more or less, with ten or nine changes. We’ll see in terms of numbers. Dayann should start, for example. I think probably Malick as well. We’ll see, but it’s a good opportunity.
"It’s much better than a friendly game. You’re in your stadium against a good team. It’s the perfect condition to build those minutes and get better.”
The cup tie would have been a good opportunity for Juan Angulo to get a first taste of action, but Le Bris said at the weekend: “We don’t know yet. It might be a bit short. It’s just a question of a visa issue. It’s going to be solved. It’s a question of time.”
Chemsdine Talbi is again unlikely to be involved amid the continued uncertainty surrounding the winger's future.
Interest from Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia and a couple of clubs in Turkey emerged at the end of last week, with Le Bris admitting that the 21-year-old might be moving on.
Sunderland's head coach left Talbi out of the squad at Brentford to "avoid unnecessary risks" with a move still "possible", though the Turkish window has now closed.
Le Bris will also update on Romaine Mundle's injury this week after the winger suffered another setback.
After recovering from two serious hamstring injuries, Mundle, who recently signed a new contract, has suffered another blow, though at this stage the severity of his latest setback is not clear.
Le Bris said at the weekend: "We’ll communicate on his injury next week."
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