REGIS Le Bris is reluctant to allow Leo Hjelde to leave Sunderland on loan in January, with the head coach describing the defender as "very important" despite his lack of football so far this season.

Hjelde joined Sunderland in January and made 11 starts in the second half of last season. But he has been limited to just six Championship minutes so far this term and his only start came in the Carabao Cup first round defeat to Preston.

Sunderland are extremely well stocked in defence, with Dan Ballard, Chris Mepham, Luke O'Nien and Aji Alese all above Hjelde in the centre-half pecking order.

Despite his struggle for action, Le Bris has been impressed by Hjelde and says the defender is a key figure in his squad.

That makes any January decision difficult. Hjelde is only 21 and Sunderland still have high hopes for the defender in the future, so a loan move might be beneficial, but Le Bris insists the Norwegian could still get his chance at the Stadium of Light this season.

"He's a very important player for the team and is always ready," said the Sunderland boss.

"He struggled a little bit during pre-season. This part of the season was tough for him because last season he didn't play a lot and was injured.

"But so far he's been very important in training sessions and in the dressing room. He's been very important when he's had to come on the pitch to help the team. He's always ready."

Le Bris has been impressed by the way Hjelde has dealt with his lack of action and says patience will continue to be key.

"He knows this part of the squad is the strongest at the minute because we have many players and he has to wait," he said.

"But it's still possible that the opportunity will come. He knows that. In football sometimes you have to wait and for the staff, the coach, the team and the club this sort of player is very important.

"We'll see for January but I repeat he's very important for us."

While Hjelde will again be among the substitutes at Stoke City this afternoon (3pm), he'll almost certainly start against the Potters in the FA Cup third round tie early next month.