Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris is plotting a squad overhaul to cope with the demands of a rare European campaign, according to the BBC. The Black Cats are preparing for their first continental football since 1973, arriving just a season after their return to the Premier League — and Le Bris knows depth will be crucial.
The Frenchman said he wants a group of "almost 20" senior players capable of handling the strain of fixtures across multiple competitions, insisting Sunderland must build "a squad ready for both competitions" rather than lean too heavily on a core group of starters.
With pre-season already under way, Le Bris is using the buildup to assess his options and identify where reinforcements are needed before the campaign begins in earnest. Balancing Premier League survival with European commitments will be a fresh challenge for the club, and Le Bris appears intent on ensuring his squad has the numbers and quality to manage the increased workload without burning out key players.