REGIS Le Bris expects Tommy Watson to play a key role in Sunderland's season after the teenage winger made his full debut at Preston.

It was a tough night for Watson at Deepdale but Le Bris says the experience will benefit the 18-year-old enormously - and says plenty more opportunities will come the way of the winger in the months ahead.

Watson is now above the likes of Nazariy Rusyn, Abdullah Ba and Adil Aouchiche in the Sunderland pecking order.

Le Bris was asked whether a loan move for the youngster is a possibility in January but the head coach now sees Watson as a crucial member of his first team squad.

"That is not a question at the moment, it's too soon," he said.

"But he's ready to be in this position with the team.

"We'll wait one or two months and see but at the moment he's really well involved in the team and we need him as a substitute or starter."

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Watson has dazzled for Sunderland's Under-21s and shone on the left flank, but Le Bris opted to start the youngster on the opposite wing at Preston, where he didn't look quite as comfortable.

"I think he can play both sides, it's not a problem for him," said Le Bris.

"We thought Wilson [Isidor] could be threat down the left. It wasn't the case but we have to manage different positions and players when we work together with the staff. It's still a learning curve.

"Sometimes you struggle. It was a tough game but a good step for the future."

Sunderland were poor for long stages at Preston, which made it all the more difficult for Watson to make an impact, but Le Bris says a first league start is a major forward step for the teenager.

He said: "A young player needs opportunities. It's about learning, learning and learning. You can't imagine the difficulty before playing so it's a good step for him.

"He worked for the team. Obviously it wasn't the best performance we expect from him but it's normal, he needs time to get used to the level. The team didn't control the game today so it wasn't an easy scenario for him."