PRESTON boss Paul Heckingbottom thinks there's a better balance to Sunderland since the exit of Jack Clarke - with the Black Cats no longer over-reliant on one player.

Heckingbottom has been enormously impressed by Sunderland this season, admitting he knew nothing about Regis Le Bris before he took charge at the Stadium of Light in the summer.

And North End's boss is braced for a tough game against a team full of "youthful energy" when Sunderland head for Deepdale on Wednesday night.

Sunderland have already played Preston this season but it was a second string XI that lost at Deepdale and the Carabao Cup first round tie took place before Heckingbottom took charge.

Heckingbottom was linked with the Sunderland head coach job in the summer but the decision to appoint Le Bris is looking like a masterstroke.

Asked whether he knew anything about Le Bris before his arrival in the Championship, Heckingbottom said: “No... I’ve seen a bit of them this season, which is the first time I have watched any of his teams - how they play and how they perform.

"But, it’s evident, I think Sunderland recruit their managers and coaches in a way where they look at their style, personality and whether they fit how they want to play. They would say they have got it wrong a couple of times, which has been evident in moving a couple of people along.

"They're obviously really sure that this manager wants to play the same way and fits, idealistically, into how they see the game - and want to develop players. So far, they have been proved right.”

What has made Sunderland's stunning start even more impressive is the fact it followed the exit of Clarke, last season's star man.

But Heckingbottom said: "Listen, they were reliant on Jack Clarke - he did fantastic for them in terms of goals, assists and threats. But, I think there is a bit more balance to them - certainly without the ball.

"I think there is a real good balance to their team, with threats off both sides. It is not as if they are over-reliant on one player, which would mean the opposition sets up to deal with one threat.

"Their better balance without the ball has been shown in the goals against as well, so that’s why they are up there on merit... scoring lots of goals and keeping lots of clean sheets. And, a real clear way they want to play.”

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Having studied Sunderland ahead of Wednesday's game, Heckingbottom said: “They won’t change, in terms of how they’ve been preparing and performing.

"There are one or two subtle things they do differently, based on how the opposition set up - which we will be prepared for. But, in terms of their style and how they approach the game, they are a team who like to attack, have a lot of the ball, rotations when they attack and the full-backs join in.

"Wingers are high and wide, then they have got a good, youthful energy when they try and defend as well. So yeah, there is a reason why they are up there and they’re not going to change too much. We are looking forward to what’s going to be a really good game.”

Despite the fact Sunderland weren't really fancied to be in contention for automatic promotion before a ball was kicked this season, Heckingbottom insists he isn't surprised by the fast start Le Bris' side have made - though he was keen to stress the campaign is still young.

He said: "I think they’ve had moments over the last few seasons where their form has been up there with the top teams.

"Their challenge, this season, is sustaining it and staying there for the 46 games. That is one of the unique things about the league we find ourselves in. So, everyone can have good form and good times; it’s having it over those 46 games.”

Sunderland will be without the suspended Jobe Bellingham at Deepdale.

“I would expect [Alan] Browne to then go and play alongside Dan Neil,” Heckingbottom told the Lancashire Evening Post.

“But yeah, they have got other players in that squad. So, I wouldn’t be surprised again if there’s one or two in there - signings they’ve developed - who they are not afraid to throw in. The middle of the pitch always is (key), but you’ll never get anything as important as both boxes - as the weekend showed.”

It will be Browne's first return to Deepdale since his Preston exit in the summer.

Heckingbottom said: "He’s been used in different positions. He would’ve wanted to play more, but he is in a team that’s playing really well. I know he played at the weekend. When the team has been doing really well, you’ve got to bide your time.”