REGIS LE BRIS has highlighted Chris Mepham’s instant impact at Sunderland as proof that the club ‘struck the right balance’ with this summer’s transfer business.

With Dan Ballard unavailable because of injury, Mepham has seamlessly slipped into Sunderland’s starting line-up in the last five matches, with his Man of the Match display at the MKM Stadium on Sunday proving a major factor in the 1-0 win that took the Black Cats back to the top of the table.

Mepham, who will remain alongside Luke O’Nien for tonight’s game at Luton Town, joined Sunderland on loan from Bournemouth this summer, with the Black Cats hierarchy sanctioning his signing even though he does really fit the template for their preferred deals.

Unlike most of Sunderland’s recent additions, 26-year-old Mepham boasted considerable experience prior to moving to Wearside, having played in more than 120 senior games, and his ability to slot straight into the starting side has proved invaluable in the last few weeks.

“It is a question of balance,” said Le Bris. “If you have too many young players, you know they will be inexperienced. But then if you have too many experienced players, especially on loan, while you probably know they will be effective, you won’t develop a squad with shared values and grow the club.

“It is a question of balance, and I think we did well during this (summer) transfer window. We got the balance right, I think, and a player like Chris Mepham is so important.

“He is important for the performance of the team, but he is also so important here, in the meeting room. When we are analysing a game, and pointing out mistakes, Chris Mepham is the first to put his hand up and say, ‘Okay, I did that wrong. It was my fault. No worries, I will correct that point in the future’.

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“That is so powerful for the others to see. If one of our best players can speak like that in front of the group, then the younger players see that and think it is okay for them to be honest and open too. That is the atmosphere I want to create, a learning environment.”

Mepham, who joined Sunderland on a season-long loan, is due to reach the end of his current contract at Bournemouth next summer, although the Cherries have the option to extend the deal by an extra 12 months.

There has already been talk of Sunderland trying to engineer a permanent transfer, even if Le Bris remains reluctant to look too far into the future.

“I understand why people will want to talk about his future, but that is not my main concern at the minute,” said the Black Cats boss. “It will be important at some point, but the most important thing at the minute is developing the link with the player and working on the performance. Then, we will see what happens.

“At the moment, it is too early to be thinking about the future, although we can definitely see and feel his performance and his level. The way he connects with the other players is important. You can sense his maturity, and that makes it so easy for the others to play with him. For me, it is a gift to have him here.”