Romaine Mundle proves Regis Le Bris right after what he did for Sunderland in win vs Oxford United
Regis Le Bris was clearly right to keep Romaine Mundle in his squad last month after he shone for Sunderland against Oxford in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Mundle played a key role in Sunderland‘s promotion campaign last season, with five goals and two assists in 24 Championship appearances.
He had to wait until November to make his Premier League debut against Bournemouth after suffering a serious hamstring injury in pre-season.
The 22-year-old is yet to start regularly for Le Bris‘ side this term, and he was linked with a move to Coventry City by the Sunderland Echo in January, but the Black Cats manager had no plans to let him leave.
Le Bris made it clear that he did not want to lose Mundle’s services, and his call has already been justified after he shone in their FA Cup triumph over Oxford United.
Regis Le Bris was right to keep Romaine Mundle, his Oxford performance proves it
The Northern Echo reported last month that Le Bris was heavily involved in the decision to keep Mundle at the Stadium of Light, after he regarded the winger as someone with “great potential”, when asked about his future at the club.
Several other sides, such as Rangers, Club Brugge and Strasbourg, were touted with interest in his services, but he remained on Wearside, and already looks to be stepping up to the mark as he fully recovers from his recent injury setback.
Mundle was handed his fourth start of the campaign on Sunday as the Black Cats travelled to the Kassam Stadium for fourth-round FA Cup action, and was imperative to their 1-0 victory.
He completed the most dribbles (12), won the most duels (20) and won the most fouls (6) of any player on the pitch against their Championship opponents.
Mundle also created a chance and was unlucky not to score with either of his two shots on target, as he produced a fine display that will surely thrust him to the forefront of Le Bris’ thoughts going forward.
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Who is Mundle competing with for starting places at Sunderland?
Sunderland’s expensive summer transfer business has left Le Bris with a plethora of attacking options as it stands, with Mundle likely unsure about his status in the squad at the start of the campaign.
He is coming into his own now after returning to match fitness, but still faces fierce competition for minutes on the left wing for the Black Cats.
January arrival Nilson Angulo was handed his maiden Sunderland start against Liverpool last week, and he looked bright, but clearly lacks experience in the English game as yet.
Enzo Le Fee has played on the left this season, but has shone recently in a central position, while Chemsdine Talbi can also be deployed there, but has started on the right more often since joining last summer.
Mundle has certainly put a strong case forward to be trusted from the off more in their upcoming games, and he could now be in line to start against Fulham next Sunday.
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