LIFE after Jack Clarke isn't so bad after all...

For so long, Sunderland feared losing their star man and his matchwinning contributions, and when he eventually moved on in the summer it looked like a gaping hole had been left in Regis Le Bris' side.

But how Romaine Mundle has stepped up.

And while nobody will forget or downplay Clarke's excellence and importance during his time on Wearside, it's credit to Mundle that there's been little said about the former Leeds and Tottenham winger since his exit for Ipswich Town.

Mundle was always going to get the chance to step in to Clarke's shoes on the left and Sunderland were confident the January recruit would step up. But realistically nobody expected three goals in three games and the 21-year-old so quickly making himself so crucial for Le Bris.

There are areas to improve of course, with consistency the main challenge, says Le Bris, but Mundle has quickly eased the fears of what life would be like after Clarke.

"He's in a good place at the moment," said Sunderland's head coach ahead of today's lunchtime kick-off against Middlesbrough.

"I'm not surprised. I always thought he had these kind of qualities. Now the challenge is to maintain the level and consistency. The quality of a player at the highest level is to repeat.

"He will face new challenges. At Plymouth their full-backs were very aggressive so it's a new experience.

"Sometimes maybe he will attract this full-back to open a space for Jobe or Riggy so it might be a less performance but he creates space for other teammates. I hope he learns from his positive and negative experiences."

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There's pressure that comes with replacing a star like Clarke but Mundle has risen to the occasion.

"I like his mentality," said Le Bris.

"It's a new position for him. When you're a sub and coming on the pitch as a sub, it's a challenge, you only have 10 or 20 minutes to play. Now his position is very different and it's a new journey for him.

"His level is interesting. He's shown his qualities, now he needs to manage different events during the competition and needs experience."

Only four Championship players have scored more goals so far this season than Mundle and Le Bris is backing the winger to continue his current streak.

He said: “I hope so. He is a really good finisher. We see it in the training sessions. He can score with his right foot or his left. He is quick and has a very strong shot. And he has that willingness to score.

“Of course, it depends on the situation and opportunities you may have during a game. Sometimes he may have a period without scoring – maybe two, three even six games but will still be working hard for the team.

“Both sides of his game are important.  If the most important thing becomes the individual performance, then that can be a danger for the team. So I prefer looking at the whole and he continues working for the team. If the opportunity comes to score or shoot, that is OK, he does it for the team. That is most important thing.”

What's also important for Le Bris is support for his strikers. Eliezer Mayenda is currently the first choice frontman for the Black Cats but when players such as Mundle are finding the net, it eases the pressure on the striker - not that Le Bris judges the teenager just on goals.

"I agree and I hope our midfielders will score as well," said Le Bris.

"I know that Riggy and Jobe for example want to score more goals. It's a collective intention. I think Eliezer, even if he didn't score in the last game, played well and helped the team offensively and defensively.

“The central corridor is always closed. The best spaces are always behind the defence and around the side because every team tries to protect the central part of the pitch. In that position, there is congestion. The weakest, most vulnerable areas are always behind and at the sides.”