Régis Le Bris issues Milan Aleksić update and outlines what Sunderland fans can expect from youngster
Régis Le Bris has confirmed that Chris Mepham and Milan Aleksic are available to make their Sunderland debuts at Plymouth Argyle this weekend.
The pair appear highly unlikely to come into the starting XI having only returned from international duty with Wales and Serbia respectively this week, but they could yet be named on the bench. Sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said last week that the club would be patient with Aleksic as he adjusts both to a new club and a new language, a message that Le Bris echoed at his pre-match press conference.
“Milan is very young, talented, still discovering Sunderland and the league. But he has a lot of good qualities as a midfielder, an offensive midfielder I think. He can be creative, the ability to link with short passes and I think the ability to shoot and score from outside the box. He’s a really interesting player.”
Fellow deadline-day additions Ahmed Abdullahi and Samis Abdul Samed are both absent this weekend due to injury, though the latter could make his debut next weekend. Abdullahi is expected to be out for around ten to twelve weeks after undergoing surgery on a pre-existing groin injury.
Sunderland: Regis Le Bris’ reflections on new signing Milan Aleksic
REGIS LE BRIS is excited by Milan Aleksic – and expects the Serbian youngster to feature in an attacking-midfield role for Sunderland this season.
Aleksic was one of four players to join the Black Cats on deadline day at the end of last month, signing on a permanent deal from Serbian side Radnicki.
Sunderland beat off considerable competition in order to sign the 19-year-old, who received his first call-up to the senior Serbian national squad for this month’s Nations League games against Spain and Denmark.
Aleksic’s international commitments mean Le Bris has had little opportunity to work with the teenager at first hand.
He has been impressed with what he has seen so far though, and expects Aleksic to spend most of time playing as an attacking-midfielder as he settles into his new surrounds.
