THERE'LL be a couple of extra special guests in attendance at the Stadium of Light this afternoon - Regis Le Bris' two children.

Sunderland's head coach has been joined by his family on Wearside for the festive period, with his son and daughter set to experience the Stadium of Light atmosphere on a matchday for the first time.

For Le Bris, the hectic fixture flurry over Christmas is a new experience, for the Frenchman is used to having some time off in his homeland at this stage of the season.

But he's relishing the challenges on the pitch over the course of the next fortnight. And, now his family have joined him, he couldn't be happier off the pitch.

"The environment is really positive," he said.

"You can be in France, as was the case last season, in my region, but the environment was 100 times worse than this environment. It depends on the results and the dynamic and many things. I'm very happy here."

And he'll be even happier if his Sunderland side continue their impressive recent form and beat Norwich City this afternoon (3pm).

"I'm happy to have my family here around me," he said.

"My daughter and son will be at the game. It's good to have my family around and they'll hopefully enjoy it at the Stadium of Light."

Today's visit of the Canaries is followed by four games in 10 days, starting with the Blackburn trip on Boxing Day.

"It's really different for me, it's a new experience," said Le Bris.

"The depth of the squad will be important. That's why we need everyone involved in the project. We'll see how we are game by game."

Boxing Day will also bring up the midway point of what has so far been a hugely impressive first season at the club for Le Bris.

"I had no real expectations when I came because I knew a bit about Sunderland but when you are in the building and train with the team and manage situations, that's the reality," he said.

"The reality of now will be different in two or three or five months. The club is massive, expectations are huge. I think here we can feel the patience and the way people feel about the club in general.

"Now there are a lot of games in a short space of time.

"There is a good energy within the group and we will need to keep that togetherness over this next few weeks.

"We must keep the consistency and build momentum after Saturday's important win."

Norwich boss Johannes Hoff Thorup has been hugely impressed by Sunderland this season and knows they'll be on a high after the comeback win against Swansea.

He said: "They have done really well. It's impressive to see a team handle a situation when they are 2-0 down and still play very collective.

"It comes from the experience they had from last season. We are probably just a step or two behind them in our development. We need to accept, but it doesn't mean that we can't go there and win."

SUNDERLAND PROBABLE XI: Patterson, Hume, Mepham, O'Nien, Cirkin; Neil, Bellingham, Rigg; Roberts, Mayenda, Isidor