Sunderland AFC head coach Regis Le Bris has underlined the importance of captain Granit Xhaka, insisting the midfielder will remain central to the Black Cats’ push for consistency after his timely return from injury.
Xhaka stepped back into the starting XI at the weekend as Sunderland halted their losing run with a resilient 1-1 draw away at AFC Bournemouth.
His presence in midfield brought composure and leadership, and Le Bris believes that influence will be vital heading into a demanding stretch of fixtures.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s clash at Elland Road against Leeds United, the Sunderland boss made his admiration clear.
“Granit is like a conductor,” said Le Bris. “We don’t have many players like that, who help the others to get better. It’s important to have one or two in the squad and Granit is one of those players.
“He helps to set the tone, to give the first impulse. He is a good player so when you have one more good player on the pitch, it is better.”
As the Black Cats prepare for the quick turnaround to west Yorkshire, Le Bris reported no fresh injury setbacks.
However, Romaine Mundle and Jocelin Ta Bi remain sidelined following issues sustained in the recent defeat to Fulham.
Looking ahead to the Leeds encounter, Le Bris acknowledged the size of the challenge, particularly in the charged atmosphere of Elland Road.
“Leeds are doing well – they have a clear identity. They are well coached with a great atmosphere at Elland Road.
“Last season we had a strong experience. We had good control and we felt it was possible to be competitive, and in the second half through the energy of the stadium they found a solution to score.”
With momentum beginning to swing back in Sunderland’s favour, the return of their midfield “conductor” could prove decisive as they look to build rhythm and pick up valuable points on the road.
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