Le Bris was disappointed with his side’s 1-0 defeat to Swansea City on Saturday, bringing to an end a three-match unbeaten run for the Black Cats.
But he believes his players will have again benefited from his squad rotation, with Sunderland’s boss making three changes for the game, which included handing a first Championship start to Harrison Jones.
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Sunderland were poor against the mid-table Swans, who secured all three points thanks to Ben Cabango’s goal on the hour mark.
Le Bris said: “It’s a disappointing result, especially at home.
“We expect more. We wanted to win but it wasn’t possible, we had a lot of the ball but we didn’t create many chances. It was difficult to build up under their pressure, they were well organised and to be fair it wasn’t easy to find a solution. We didn’t find a good rhythm.
“I think we can find different reasons for our performance but I think probably the first is that in this period, it’s important to manage the squad.
“We have to refresh some players, so for example so we’re not rushing the process with Enzo.
“This option gives you a chance for Harrison, and a first league start is an experience you have to learn from.
“We are in this period with a specific goal at the end of the season.
“We want to win every game but we want to manage the squad, to build gradually the best shape of the squad so they are available [for the play-offs]. And during that time, we give young players opportunities to grow.
He added: “Even with the defeat we almost secured the fourth place, so it shows so far we’ve been really good.
“Now the main purpose is to keep the level and at the same time to refresh the players and have a fresh squad at the end of the season.
