REGIS LE BRIS can see plenty of promise in Ahmed Abdullahi, but accepts it will take time for the deadline-day signing to adapt to life at Sunderland.

Abdullahi joined the Black Cats at the end of last month, signing a four-year deal after leaving Belgian club Gent.

The 20-year-old impressed in Gent’s reserve ranks last season, scoring 21 goals in 28 games, but only stepped up into the club’s senior set-up at the start of this summer.

He is a Nigeria Under-20 international, and Le Bris has been impressed with the early signs on the training ground, but the Black Cats boss expects Abdullahi to take time to settle into his new surrounds.

“He’s (Abdullahi) a big boy, quick and strong,” said Le Bris. “He's a good finisher, he's young, 20 - so like Eliezer (Mayenda) he will need time to develop for sure and to integrate all the elements we have in the team. But he's a good signing.

“We know there is always pressure but of course, we understand they need time to develop and to make mistakes so that they can learn. This will be the case with Ahmed for sure.”

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Le Bris will be hoping Abdullahi follows Mayenda’s lead as he comes to terms with the demands of the Championship.

Mayenda initially took time to settle on Wearside, but the Spanish youngster has looked a completely different prospect as he has led the line in the opening four league games of the current campaign.

“You can see that when we give the opportunity to play to young players, they can improve and experience many different situations,” said Le Bris. “At the end, we can create another player who is available and can play at that level.”