Régis Le Bris drops hint on Dennis Cirkin's future at Sunderland with 'competition' admission
Sunderland and Dennis Cirkin are weighing up their options with the defender’s contract set to expire this summer
Régis Le Bris has admitted that Dennis Cirkin could leave the club as a free agent at the end of the campaign.
The Sunderland head coach said that no final decision had been made on Cirkin’s future at this stage and that things could still change over the course of the final five games of the season. Cirkin performed well on his introduction to the Premier League during AFCON but Trai Hume’s introduction from the bench at Villa Park last week as a left back reflected Cirkin’s current position in the pecking order.
Le Bris said no decisions have been made on individual players but that his departure this summer was a possibility.
“We'll see, it's a bit early to give a specific opinion because we don't know,” Le Bris said.
“But at the minute it's clear that we have three strong full-backs. And the competition is high. So it's hard to be the fourth in that situation at the end of his contract. So I don't know because the future is the future and it's important to stay focused on the league. Every game can give new information but at the minute the competition is high, I can say this.
“It might be the end of the story, because for him and for us, we'll have to be really well aligned. So it's a bit early to decide, but it's an option.”
Cirkin has made nine appearances for Sunderland this season, but has just one brief substitute appearance to his name since the FA Cup win at Oxford in February.
The Echo has launched a new WhatsApp SAFC Channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates direct to your phone. Simply click this link to join our SAFC WhatsApp channel.
Le Bris also confirmed that no final decision had been made on Bertrand Traoré’s future, with the winger targeting a partial return to training after a knee injury next week.
“Betrand has an option which can be triggered by the number of games, and it's about our connection as well, so we can decide. He's a good lad and a good player, but it's a bit early to decide now.”
Your next Sunderland read: Régis Le Bris explains Omar Alderete latest in Sunderland team news update ahead of Nottingham Forest