There was no expectation that Alese would be back before the end of the season and the play-offs when the versatile defender suffered a serious injury in the FA Cup defeat to Stoke back in January.
But the 24-year-old has surprised club staff with his rapid recovery and the plan is for him to join in training on Sunday, alongside the returning Romaine Mundle.
Le Bris won’t rush Alese but the former West Ham youngster now looks set to be available for the play-offs in what is another selection boost at the back, with Dan Ballard poised to return to the bench against QPR on Saturday.
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On Alese, Le Bris said: “He’s worked really hard to be back.
“It’s really a surprise for me, because after the injury it was clear for me that it should have been a long period to recover properly.
“But he was really positive, worked well and it’s really good for us to have Aji with us.”
Alese was a key figure for Sunderland in the first few weeks of the season before being sidelined with an ankle injury. He returned in November before suffering his second setback a couple of months later.
Alese won’t go back into Sunderland’s starting XI for the play-offs, with Ballard returning and Dennis Cirkin now available again at left-back. But the defender’s return is still another boost and he’ll provide crucial cover in the weeks ahead.
