Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Fulham at the Stadium of Light (kick-off 14:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
- Le Bris confirmed captain Granit Xhaka is back and available after training this week, but Bertrand Traore is out, though he could be back soon.
- He added that full-back Reinildo has picked up a knee injury and will be out for "three or four weeks" but will potentially be back for the derby with Newcastle on 22 March.
- On how important it is to have Xhaka back, Le Bris said: "It's better to play with Granit than without. [There are] more options for the starting 11 and the bench. I think the team is stronger, so for Granit we'll have to be progressive to respect the process and it's good because now we have three or four midfielders available and we'll have a fourth one."
- On having to leave out a player: "The competition is important in a group. It's important as well for the team because we can't play with only 11 players."
- On defender Trai Hume taking fewer throw-ins recently, Le Bris confirmed he has an "issue" with his hand and hopes he will be able to resume his throw-ins again soon.
- On a chance to get closer to 40 points, he said: "Yes, we have 12 games left, so 36 points available and I want to see the positive side. Next game is an opportunity to win three points. We know in this league, there are no easy games, never. We spoke about Burnley, for example, or Wolves that are still competitive and every weekend it shows it clearly."
- He added: "We want to stay ambitious but we know it's a learning curve. We know we have to stay positive. We have to stay competitive. "
- On facing Fulham: "They are a well-established Premier League team now with this ability with those patterns to play through you, through the pressure and they have good players. They have this ability to be clinical. Harry Wilson is in good form, but he is not the only one. They are strong and it will be a good test for us."
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