Neil is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench for Saturday’s Premier League opener, with Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra favourites to start in midfield.
As well as potentially dropping down the midfielder pecking order this summer, Neil lost the captaincy this week when Xhaka was handed the armband for the coming season.
But reports emerged earlier this week stating Neil – who has now moved into the final year of his contract at the Stadium of Light – had snubbed transfer interest from Premier League and overseas to stay and fight for his place.
“We’ve had many conversations,” said Le Bris this week.
“It’s a big shift and a natural shift. We don’t have to have a big problem with this player or another player.
“It’s the case for everyone being challenged by this new journey, and we need to think of the positives rather than ‘I lost my position, maybe’.
“But is it for one week, two weeks, a few months? We don’t know. If you’re at at that level it means you’re ready to be competitive in your position.
“It’s the case for Dan and the other players. They’re ready for that fight.”
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Le Bris says the decision to hand Xhaka the captain’s armband was an easy one.
“It’s really natural because of his level, first of all, as a footballer, and his experience, his leadership, understanding of the game,” said the head coach.
“I think it’s really easy, just after 10 minutes on the pitch, to feel that he will be our captain. For the player, for the squad, for the coach.
“For Dan, it’s an opportunity to grow. He’s still really young, 23, and he has the potential to become a Premier League player. But you have to feel the gap between the previous level and the new one.
“For us, it’s an opportunity with this new challenge to grow, and that will be the case for Dan.”
Le Bris says he’s still in the process of finalising his new leadership team, which will be confirmed after the summer transfer window and will “probably” be made up of a combination of new signings and key figures from last season.
As well as Neil committing to stay this season, Luke O’Nien signed a new contract with Sunderland on Thursday night.
Le Bris said: “We have to wait a bit to find the right balance because it’s often connected with game time.
“If you’re not fully involved with the squad it’s a bit more difficult to help the leadership group.
“We’ll find the right balance at the end of the window.”
