RELIEVED  Regis Le Bris says Chris Rigg will be out of action for no longer than a fortnight after a scan on his ankle injury revealed no damage - with Sunderland now closely monitoring the midfielder and waiting for his discomfort to settle.

Rigg missed Sunday's defeat at Stoke City after suffering the injury in the Boxing Day draw at Blackburn and won't be available for this week's home games against Sheffield United and Portsmouth, but the problem is nowhere near as bad as first feared.

"We just have to wait a couple of weeks, maybe less," said Le Bris.

"We were a bit worried after the game because he stretched his ankle but the scans showed it wasn't damaged at all. It's just a question of pain now, so we'll wait and see."

In Rigg's absence, Sunderland suffered late heartbreak at the bet365 Stadium as Tom Cannon lashed in a stoppage time winner for Stoke.

Sunderland had 22 shots on goal but were frustrated by home keeper Viktor Johansson and hit the post twice.

Le Bris said: "It's frustrating, especially the second half.

"After they had good momentum, we managed that part then created many chances. We had 22 shots, two hit the post, three good saves. This part of the pitch is still most difficult.

"We have to be very accurate to finish and this afternoon we weren't clinical. At the end it was still possible for them to score and they did. We showed the intensity and had a lot of fight but it wasn't enough."

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Stoke's last gasp winner followed Blackburn's late equaliser on Boxing Day.

Le Bris said: "When we analyse the video after we can find many elements. It's a question of connection with the game.

"We are still a young team with many elements to develop and improve. This part, when we have a long sequence, we can switch off a bit and be a bit disconnected in one, two, three positions and that was the case today.

"In attack it's a question of dynamic. We showed from the beginning we can score from every position, it's not just one player.

"Wilson [Isidor] was very useful for the team with the way he defended and created space for his teammates. Obviously as a striker you are waiting for this efficiency but sometimes this is not the case."

Adil Aouchiche and Milan Aleksic made their first Championship starts of the season, with Patrick Roberts dropping to the bench.

Le Bris explained: "We just felt he needed a rest, yes. In the past he has had issues with his hamstrings so it just a question of managing his body. He did well for the last 25 minutes but we felt it was the right decision today."