Regis Le Bris has two crucial calls to make over Enzo Le Fee before Sunderland vs West Brom, it may define 24/25 season

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Sunderland are preparing to face West Brom this weekend as Regis Le Bris’ faces a selection dilemma for the Championship run-in.

Sunderland are preparing to face West Brom on Saturday in a crunch top-six Championship fixture.

Regis Le Bris’ side sit firmly in fourth, in a state of limbo in the Championship table given the points gulf between themselves and the top three of Sheffield United, Leeds and Burnley.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	Sheff UtdSheffield Utd	39	26	7	6	56	29	27	83
2	LeedsLeeds	39	23	12	4	78	27	51	81
3	BurnleyBurnley	39	22	15	2	53	11	42	81
4	SunderlandSunderland	39	20	12	7	56	37	19	72
5	CoventryCoventry	39	17	8	14	56	51	5	59
6	West BromWest Brom	39	13	18	8	48	35	13	57

Former Sunderland boss and fan favourite Tony Mowbray will be in the opposite dugout this weekend – and is well aware the quality his former side possesses – as his Baggies side fight to stay amongst the play-off frame.

Le Bris revealed earlier this week he is set to welcome back one standout star to the squad, who could turn the promotion tide in Sunderland’s favour, as long as the Frenchman gets two crucial decisions regarding his imminent return right.

• READ MORE: ‘Until the end’… Regis Le Bris’ demand for Sunderland supporters

Enzo Le Fee’s return to favoured role will be pivotal

January loan signing Enzo Le Fee arrived from Roma with a depth of footballing pedigree from his time rivalling Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in the French top flight.

Sunderland fans have enjoyed glimpses of his abilities, with Le Fee instrumental in the 3-2 win away at Middlesbrough and scoring the game-winner against Luton.

Following injuries to left-wingers Romaine Mundle and Tommy Watson – the latter of which set to depart for Brighton this summer – trademark central midfielder Le Fee was forced to play in an unfavoured position on the left flank.

Weeks later Roma loanee Le Fee suffered an injury setback of his own and has been sidelined for several weeks, but Le Bris has confirmed the fully-fit French maestro will return to the Sunderland squad this weekend’s Baggies trip.

Le Bris told SAFC.com this week: “We expect Leo (Hjelde) and Enzo to return, there have been no further issues.”

Although the Roma loanee was impressive on the left-wing, his technical ability and creativity are far better suited to the centre of the park where he can dictate the play, as he did so often during his footballing breakthrough under Le Bris at Lorient.

With first-choice left-winger Mundle’s return to the side, it offers the opportunity for Le Bris to start Le Fee in a central role, likely in place of or in rotation with Chris Rigg and end Le Fee’s time stuck out wide where he can’t employ his creative traits as effectively.

Rigg’s been in impressive form this season, with Premier League sides West Ham and Everton tracking him, but Le Fee’s incisive ability on the ball and experience at the level is far higher than the youngster’s.

• READ MORE: Regis Le Bris reveals senior Sunderland meeting over ’emotional’ moment

Regis Le Bris must handle Enzo Le Fee’s return right

Le Bris has said of Le Fee this season: “He has so many good qualities. We can feel the quality. He has technical qualities but he has really connected with the players and the team so he is a really good teammate in and out of possession.”

Given Le Fee’s ample ability, he could be the difference-maker for Sunderland’s season and make the impact needed to secure play-off glory. If he does so, the Frenchman will become a Sunderland player permanently next season.

Before that, the Black Cats boss must handle his reintroduction to the Sunderland side with extreme care, or risk him being sidelined further for the seemingly inevitable play-offs.

Le Bris has been criticised for his man management of Le Fee given the ex-Rennes ace’s lack of gametime prior to arriving on Wearside.

Le Fee has been labelled as “wonderful” by Luke O’Nien and the Black Cats have yet to see the Frenchman’s magical best consistently in the second tier this term given his injury woes, and Le Bris’ necessity to play him in unfavoured role during his first Sunderland outings.

Whether he returns from the first whistle against West Brom remains to be seen. But one thing is for certain, the reintroduction of fully-fit again Le Fee’s technical genius – in the middle of the park – could very well turn the tide in Sunderland’s favour for Premier League promotion.

If the Black Cats boss gets his redeployment wrong in the aforementioned crucial calls, Sunderland could be drowned out by their play-off rivals, and risk never seeing Le Fee feature in a red and white shirt again.