Le Bris has rested stars in recent weeks in a bid to ensure his key players are all fit and fresh for when the play-offs get underway.
Tinkering with the team has resulted in Sunderland losing three straight Championship games, but Le Bris isn’t at all concerned about a lack of momentum leading into the play-offs.
He is, however, now ready to revert to his strongest XI for the final two games of the season, with the Black Cats travelling to Oxford this weekend before the final day visit of QPR.
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“It will be close to the first 11,” said Le Bris of his team selection plan for the Oxford game.
“Many things can happen. It’s not just 11 players who will be involved in the game at Oxford and play in the semi-final.
“We need the full group. Football is unpredictable and you can’t anticipate a scenario. I repeat, it’s not only 11 players, it’s a full group and we’ll do our best to manage the game properly.”
But pressed on whether he now knows what his team will look like for the semi-final first leg, Le Bris said: “Yes, in my head somewhere.
“We know that many events can happen so it’s still not definitive and we have to wait for the teamsheet just before the semi-final.
“But for everyone, the fans, players and squad, we know what could be the first XI. We don’t know about injuries or what-not. But it will be close to our best XI.”
Despite the poor run of results, Le Bris insists some players who have featured in recent weeks have thrust themselves into contention for the play-off games.
One of those is Eliezer Mayenda, who has staked a strong claim to now be Sunderland’s first choice striker, though he’ll be missing at Oxford on Saturday due to concussion.
Le Bris said: “The decision for the squad and the teamsheet will be more difficult now, and that’s a good sign.
“We have positive vibes in the building and everyone wants to be in the team.
“There are more difficult decisions for me but it’s better for the team. And even if some aren’t in the team, they will be around and important because we are all connected.
“This period was useful because it gave some opportunities for players who have not really been involved, and it shows they are still connected. They have trained properly and they understood the way we wanted to play.
“We earned this possibility [to rotate]. I’m proud of the team and squad, it’s a big achievement.
“At the same time, with the core of the squad, we knew it was important to go through this phase to have as many players as possible available and fit. This period was unusual and strange but a good opportunity to refresh. And now with one game per week we will have a different dynamic.”
