REGIS Le Bris has opened the door for Adil Aouchiche and Abdoullah Ba to play their way back into his Sunderland plans.

The pair were both available to leave the Black Cats ahead of the transfer deadline last month but moves failed to materialise.

Both attackers haven't been named in a matchday squad since the win over Sheffield Wednesday on the second weekend of the season but Le Bris insists he won't sideline the pair between now and the January window.

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The head coach has been impressed with the duo on the training ground this week and says they can still play a role for the Black Cats in the weeks and months ahead.

One of the two could come into the squad for tomorrow's game against Middlesbrough, with Alan Browne's injury leaving a vacancy on the bench.

Le Bris said: "It's possible yes. We have Adil, Abdoullah, Milan (Aleksic) as well is available.

"It's a question of the dynamic, the momentum of the game - so we will see. Adil and Abdoullah are with us until the next transfer window, so they have my trust as players of Sunderland and players who have qualities to play and perform in the game.

"Because they had the opportunity to leave, they needed to reconnect to the project and I like their behaviour in the training sessions this week.