SUNDERLAND will almost certainly keep Leo Hjelde at the Stadium of Light this month on the back of Aji Alese's injury setback.

Le Bris was always reluctant to allow Hjelde to leave Sunderland on loan this month, despite the defender's lack of football so far this season.

But Sunderland's head coach will now stress the importance of Hjelde staying put to ensure he isn't left short in defence.

While the Black Cats are well stocked at centre-half, Alese's injury leaves Hjelde as the only senior player who can provide natural cover and competition for Dennis Cirkin at left-back.

Hjelde shifted over to left-back against Stoke City on Saturday after Alese's injury and looked comfortable. He's previously played there for Sunderland and Leeds.

RECOMMENDED READING:

• Sunderland's next transfer move after Enzo Le Fee deal as Le Bris confirms 'target'

• Why Sunderland crowd surprised Mark Robins and left Stoke City manager 'really sad'

Sunderland are still awaiting confirmation of Alese's injury but Le Bris admitted after the Stoke defeat that it looked "serious". It's a major setback for the defender, who has endured his fair share of injury misery on Wearside but has impressed this season at centre-half and left-back when fit.

Hjelde has only played 12 Championship minutes but Le Bris last month stressed the importance of the defender and insisted he could still play a key role this season.

After Saturday's game, he said "I said before that Leo is always involved in the training sessions, always involved in the game even if he's only played three or four times and three or four minutes. He deserved to be on the pitch today, he did well and he's a good option for us."

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