Isidor has been Le Bris’ main man up-front for the majority of the season but the Frenchman has found goals hard to come by of late, last hitting the net in the draw at Leeds back in mid-February.
Mayenda started at Bristol City on Friday and took his chance, scoring a stunning individual goal to put the Black Cats in front and troubling Bristol City with a brilliant centre-forward display in the first half.
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Le Bris was delighted with Mayenda’s showing and thinks the Spain Under-21 international has made major improvements over the course of the season.
But he will continue to balance his selection between both centre-forwards, depending on which striker he thinks best suits a particular game.
“We have two strong strikers, different options,” said Le Bris.
“With Wilson we can move a bit more in behind, with Eli we have this ability to keep the ball under pressure, dribble and score.
“For a head coach and staff, to have two different players at this level is a real positive. One can start and the other can finish the game.
“We can balance the game-time. You never know what can happen so to have two players at that level is really positive.”
Mayenda was a fringe figure in his first season on Wearside and spent the second half of last term on loan at Hibs, where he barely featured. But he’s been a key figure this season and Le Bris was hugely impressed but not at all surprised by his display and goal at Ashton Gate.
“Eliezer showed in the last weeks that he’s able to score a goal like that,” said Sunderland’s head coach.
“He can hold the ball, he showed many good qualities so far and he’s really important for us.
“He’s improved a lot. This is Sunderland, we start with unknown players and try with them because they are talented and want to improve every day.
“We are creating conditions for their good qualities. He’s really young but has showed his quality.”
