How Sunderland will replace Tommy Watson - as Regis Le Bris rules out one option

REGIS Le Bris will turn to Eliezer Mayenda to replace the injured Tommy Watson - with the Sunderland boss confirming he has no plans to shift Wilson Isidor to the flank.

The Black Cats were dealt a major blow this week with Watson ruled out for two months after suffering ankle and knee injuries in Tuesday's draw with Bristol City.

With Romaine Mundle already sidelined with a hamstring injury, that leaves Le Bris short out wide in what is a busy and crucial spell of the season.

Abdoullah Ba is a natural winger, while Adil Aouchiche and Nazariy Rusyn have both played in wide roles in the past, but all three players are on the fringes at Sunderland and Le Bris all but confirmed they'll be available to leave in January.

They could have a part to play in the coming weeks but it's Mayenda who is in line for a run in the team. The 19-year-old started the season as Sunderland's striker but has been used more of a winger in recent weeks, though that's been on the right rather than the left.

"With Eliezer, he has to understand that he has an extra power," said Le Bris.

"He's very strong, very quick and when he plays as a nine the main action he has to manage is a little bit different.

"When you are a left-footed player on the right wing you have different options. When you are on the left, it is different again.

"He just needs to spend time in that position to find out what he is able to do and to build that conviction. It's about experiences and more experiences. He has many good qualities to play in this position, but it is a different style of play.

"It will be more about pushing outside and crossing than driving inside, which is harder for a left footer on this side. It's just a question of time."

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Isidor can play as a left winger but Le Bris thinks the loanee is more effective up-front.

"Even if at the moment he is less clinical, he is very important to the team," he said.

"Many runs in behind, always connected with the team, he has improved on the defensive side as well. Even when he doesn't score, he is important to the team [through the middle].

"He has the confidence of the team and my confidence as well. He has scored goals with more difficult chances earlier in the season [so it is a matter of time]."