REGIS LE BRIS has told Adil Aouchiche, Jewison Bennette and Nazariy Rusyn they could still have a future at Sunderland provided they show the right attitude on the training ground in the next three months.

Earlier in the summer, Le Bris indicated that all three players would be allowed to leave during the summer transfer window, and Sunderland examined possible deals that might have seen the trio leave Wearside.

However, the transfer window closed with the threesome all still at the Stadium of Light despite seemingly not playing a significant role in Le Bris’ plans.

Bennette and Rusyn were part of the Sunderland Under-21 side that drew 2-2 with Athletic Bilbao in their first game of the Premier League International Cup on Wednesday night, with the latter having been an 87th-minute substitute in the 3-1 win over Portsmouth that preceded the international break.

Neither Bennette nor Aouchiche were involved in the squad at Fratton Park, but Le Bris has spoken with all three players in the last fortnight and assured them they have not been written off despite their lack of senior involvement so far this season.

“I’ve had a short conversation with them, and I'll have more,” said Le Bris. “For all the players in the squad, they need to be clear about the project. Where they are now, what are the expectations for you and the team.

READ MORE:

“When it (the future) is still not clear (with the transfer window open), it is very difficult for the players and the coaches to understand their role. We'll have this conversation. They are with us, part of the team, and they have the ability to play with us if they deserve it.”

The failure to move on fringe players in the summer window means Le Bris finds himself with a somewhat bloated squad after the arrival of four more new players on deadline day.

However, the head coach denies the current group is unwieldy, and expects to need all of his senior players at some stage over the next few months.

“I don't think we have too many players,” he said. “We have 22 or 23 with the ability to play. Now, the balance will be different because some went, some came in and you find a new balance. The first part of the season, we built a good dynamic, now we have to take another step.

“There is the possibility for everyone in the squad to play if they show they deserve it in the training sessions, or maybe in the ten, 20 minutes they come onto the pitch.

“It's a reset, I can say that, and all the players have a chance to play. We know we can't play well with 11 or 12 players, we need 18,19,20 ready to play because we have more fixtures coming. We need everyone over the season.”