REGIS Le Bris was delighted to see Niall Huggins put pen to paper on a new Sunderland contract this week - but admitted it might not be until next season that the talented full-back returns to action.

Huggins has been out of action since the end of December when he suffered a serious knee injury in the home defeat to Coventry.

It was a devastating blow for the 23-year-old, who had put two years of injury torment behind him and enjoyed an extremely encouraging first half of the season.

Despite that injury woe, Sunderland still have high hopes for Huggins, who received his first Wales call-up at the end of last year, and this week extended his contract to the summer of 2026, with the club having the option of an extra year.

Le Bris says the deal is a show of faith in the defender but insists the Black Cats won't rush Huggins back into action.

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"It's so important to feel the confidence of the club," he said.

"He's a talented player who did very well last season but had a big injury.

"We are still confident he'll be back with us. I don't know if it will be possible at the end of this season, maybe, we'll see, but next season and this is a sign of our confidence.

"We don't know for sure [when he'll be back] because it's a big injury and it's not easy to assess, especially the later stages of rehab."

Jenson Seelt, who also suffered a serious knee injury last season, is closer to a return.

Seelt suffered cruciate ligament damage in March but has now resumed light training.

Le Bris said: "Jenson is difficult [to know] because it was a big injury. We have different stages and we need to check at different stages.

"He could be ready for January. He'll train with the team and after we'll see. He'll need time with the Under-21s and we'll see his progression."