Regis Le Bris reacts to Championship award amid 'genuine' Sunderland promotion claim

DELIGHTED Regis Le Bris hailed his Sunderland players and support staff after scooping his second Manager of the Month award of the season.

Le Bris, who won the August award, has now been named the October winner after guiding the Black Cats to 13 points from five unbeaten games last month.

“This award represents the hard work and performances of the players and staff throughout the club," said Le Bris, who beat Leeds United’s Daniel Farke, Preston’s Paul Heckingbottom and Cardiff City’s Omer Riza for the October honour.

"We are pleased with the progress we have made during the start of the season, but we understand there are still many games remaining and greater challenges ahead of us.

"We need to stay very consistent, but there is a willingness to improve within the building and this will serve us well moving forward.”

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Sunderland beat Derby, Hull, Luton and Oxford last month and picked up a point at home to promotion rivals Leeds.

Danny Wilson chairs the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month judging panel, and said: “Sunderland and Regis maintained their great form in an unbeaten October, returning 13 points from their five games. Their impressive month included a terrific win at highly fancied Luton Town at Kenilworth road and a last gasp 2-2 draw at home to second placed Leeds United.”

Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Le Bris’ Sunderland continued where they left off in September and look genuinely primed for a real push at automatic promotion this season. He deserves a lot of credit for getting the best out of their exciting attacking talent, guiding his young team to four wins from an unbeaten five games in October.”