REGIS Le Bris faces some difficult midfield decisions after the arrival of Alan Browne, with the new head coach revealing he plans to use Chris Rigg in a central role this coming season.

Versatile Rigg has played in a number of roles for the Black Cats and was last season used on the right side of midfield.

Le Bris is still considering how he plans to get the very best out of the teenage talent this season but he knows already that he wants him in the middle of the park.

With Rigg set to play a more prominent role and with Browne arriving after leaving Preston, Le Bris has options in the middle. Dan Neil and Pierre Ekwah were the regular central starters last season and it's not yet publicly clear whether the new head coach will use Jobe Bellingham in midfield or attack.

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Mike Dodds used Rigg in a wide role last season because he thought the youngster's development was better served "outside of the cauldron" in the middle of the pitch.

But Le Bris, who has been instantly impressed by Rigg on the Academy of Light training pitches, plans to move the 17-year-old inside.

“I’ve had four or five sessions, so it’s still quick to understand who he is,” said the Frenchman at his first press conference.

“He played as a right winger when he first played with the first team. I think he’s more of a No.8, maybe a No.10 and maybe a No.6 also. During the training sessions he is very interesting. He has a good level of energy, he’s very aware of the details, which is important, and I think he could be a very interesting player for us.”

Le Bris will get a first look at his players in action when Sunderland kick-off their pre-season schedule with friendlies against South Shields and Gateshead on Saturday. As was the case last summer, the first team squad will be split over the two games.