REGIS Le Bris is set to hold talks with Aaron Connolly to determine the best course of action for the striker, who is struggling for game-time at Sunderland.

Although Connolly has started just two games since signing for Sunderland early in the season, he featured regularly as a substitute in his early weeks at the club.

But he's been an unused substitute in seven of Sunderland's last 10 games, with fringe forward Nazariy Rusyn getting the nod from the bench ahead of the former Brighton striker late on in the home win over Sheffield United and again in yesterday's 1-0 victory against 10-man Portsmouth.

Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda are above Connolly in the Sunderland pecking order, and Le Bris is hopeful of adding a striker and a versatile forward to his squad before the end of the January transfer window. Le Bris also has Ahmed Abdullahi in his ranks, with the summer signing now back in training after a long spell out injured.

Asked what that mean for Connolly, Le Bris said: "We'll see. It's still important we have this discussion and conversation with him this month and we'll look to build the best pathway for our players.

"Sometimes it's not your story. We don't know at the moment what will be the outcome, we'll have this conversation."

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Le Bris says Connolly, who was a free agent when he signed a one-year deal with Sunderland, hasn't done anything wrong, but has been the unfortunate victim of both Isidor and Mayenda impressing the head coach.

He said: "I think it's more a question of momentum. We spoke a lot with Aaron.

"Eli started well and then was injured. After Wilson was very good and they built momentum.

"When you have this momentum you have to trust the players. If I change every time it doesn't make sense. For Aaron, he's still a good player and teammate but he has to wait."

Isidor underlined his Sunderland importance with the winner against Portsmouth yesterday.

It was a third goal in four games for the striker, who is well and truly back on track after a seven-game stretch without a goal.

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho described Isidor as "one of the best centre-forwards in the Championship", and Le Bris, whose Sunderland side are just three points behind Championship leaders Leeds, agreed, saying: "It's good because I don't think it was expected at that level. We know he's talented but he is also a hard worker and is a great teammate. He has shown that.

"We've spoken often about the confidence of our strikers. It's still like that.

"If you can keep a high level, it's better. The most important thing is the way they behave as a teammate and if you are connected, even if you struggle for a short period, you know you are working for the team and your teammates will know that and will help you."