Salis Samed set for Sunderland redemption after Regis Le Bris decision
Salis Abdul Samed has had a troubled time at Sunderland so far, but may be given an opportunity to showcase his worth in the coming weeks.
Sunderland travel to face Bristol City on Good Friday, knowing that their spot in the playoffs is already sealed.
With that in mind, Le Bris has made it evident that he is willing to rest some of his key players in a bid to get them fully fit for the playoffs.
Jobe Bellingham has been the most notable omission recently, with another star player set to be axed from the squad for the same reason.
Dan Neil set for Sunderland break
Dan Neil, despite the criticism, has been remarkable for Sunderland this season, and his contributions have largely gone unnoticed by many, given the nature of his role in the team.
The academy graduate has started the overwhelming majority of Championship fixtures for Sunderland this season, and Le Bris has confirmed that he will be looking to rest his captain over the next few games [Northern Echo].
With very few midfield options, that will seemingly lead to Samed getting his chance back in the starting 11 to showcase why Sunderland decided to bring him in on loan at the start of the season.
| Sunderland | Appearances | Starts | Minutes played |
| Samed | 7 | 2 | 174 |
As of yet, he has failed to show the quality that many expected of him, though a couple of games in the starting 11 may be just what he needs to have an influential role in midfield.
Le Bris is likely to make several changes against Bristol City, and his inclusion is expected to be one of them.
Sunderland need to win against Bristol City
The importance of form and momentum is often overstated in the championship, especially when it comes to the playoffs.
However, that’s not to say it doesn’t hold any value because it certainly does.
The main thing for Sunderland, especially after their disappointment in their previous playoff campaign, is the fitness of their key players, and Le Bris is doing everything in his power to manage that and ensure that Sunderland have the best chance of winning the playoffs