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Regis Le Bris has praised the healthy competition brewing between Sunderland’s frontmen Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda, suggesting the duo’s contrasting qualities are giving the Black Cats a much-needed edge as they enter the final stretch of the Championship season.
Ahead of their clash with Blackburn Rovers at the Stadium of Light, Le Bris stressed the importance of depth and variety in attack. While Isidor has struggled for form recently—failing to score in his last 10 outings—the head coach insists both he and Mayenda remain valuable options with distinct skill sets.
“Wilson brings that direct threat in behind, while Eli offers a strong presence under pressure, able to hold the ball up,” Le Bris explained. “It’s great to have two strikers who bring different attributes to the table. It allows us flexibility—one can start, and the other can change the game off the bench. That balance is key.”
Mayenda, who recently netted a superb solo effort against Bristol City, has been catching the eye not only with his technical ability but also his maturity and willingness to learn.
“Eliezer is really progressing,” said Le Bris. “He’s committed to improving and we’re creating the right environment to support that growth.”
The Black Cats are looking to bounce back after a narrow and controversial loss to Bristol City, where they were reduced to ten men just minutes into the match. Defender Trai Hume was dismissed for denying a goal-scoring opportunity in what Le Bris described as a questionable decision. Despite the early setback, Sunderland showed grit and even managed to take the lead before ultimately succumbing 2-1.
“The red card changed everything,” Le Bris admitted. “For 85 minutes, it became a different game. I think the call was harsh, but we still found ways to compete. The players showed great resilience.”
Currently sitting fourth in the table with three games remaining, Sunderland are still in the hunt for promotion. Le Bris remains focused on maintaining squad freshness and believes the team’s depth will be crucial during the run-in.
“We’ve reacted well after setbacks throughout the season,” he said. “The way we’ve managed the squad has been smart, and that gives us confidence heading into the final fixtures. Players like Eli are stepping up, and that’s what we need.”
As the pressure intensifies, the internal striker rivalry could prove to be a major asset in Sunderland’s push for a strong finish.
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