Regis Le Bris should hand unseen Sunderland AFC man a chance amid Jobe Bellingham ban | OneFootball

One player could be given his Sunderland debut in some capacity amid the suspension of Jobe Bellingham.

Jobe Bellingham received the first red card of his career for an outstretched challenge on Queens Park Rangers' Zan Celar and will now miss Sunderland's next three games against Preston North End, Coventry City and Milwall.

The 18-year-old has been immense for the Championship-topping Wearsiders so far this season, and the loss of the attacking midfielder is bound to be felt by Regis Le Bris' side.

The blow has been softened by the news that Chris Rigg will be available for the clash against Preston; he will likely slot straight in for the suspended midfielder.

With Bellingham set for a spell on the sidelines though, it could mean that Milan Aleksic is given his first opportunity in some regard. The Serbian is yet to make his debut since signing over the summer from Radnicki Nis, and with plenty of game-time under his belt in the top flight of his native country, he may now be ready to transfer his talents into English football.

Sunderland AFC will feel Jobe Bellingham's absence

Many questioned whether Bellingham could live up to the hype at Sunderland, having received lots of attention due to his brother Jude, but this season he has silenced his critics with an emphatic start to the season.

The teenager has dazzled with his performances at the Stadium of Light and, although he does not want to be compared to his brother, any comparisons this season can be justified.

Bellingham has validated the Premier League attention on him by bossing the midfield with his strength, power and technical prowess, but after receiving his career-first red card against QPR, it will be the first time the Black Cats have had to cope without his presence this season ahead of a tricky encounter with Paul Heckingbottom's Preston North End.

Rigg is the obvious option to slot into an advanced role in the hub of Sunderland's midfield, with Le Bris confirming the 17-year-old will be available to face Preston on Wednesday night.

Le Bris confirmed he was pleased at Rigg's availability to the Sunderland Echo: "Obviously when we think about a problem in the chest we can think many, many, many things about the issue but fortunately it wasn't bad, and he trained very well this morning, so I'm very pleased for sure.

"Pleased for him and pleased for the team because he's very important for us."

While Rigg has flourished in midfield, he provides a different profile to that of Bellingham, and it will be intriguing to see how Sunderland adapt their game with the change of personnel.

Milan Aleksic could provide alternative option for Regis Le Bris and Sunderland

It is almost certain that Rigg will slot straight into Sunderland's midfield, but one option that could appeal to Le Bris over the coming weeks is Aleksic.

The Serbian became Kyril Louis-Dreyfus' most expensive signing during his tenure at a reported £3.1m, as per Mozzart Sport. Although the central-midfielder is yet to play a minute for the club, he is considered as one for the future, despite his experience of playing top flight Serbian football for Radnicki Nis, appearing 25 times last season, scoring twice and assisting seven goals as a teenager.

The relentless nature of the Championship means that Sunderland face the prospect of playing multiple games a week. Furthermore, suspensions and injuries are a distinct possibility, meaning rotation could be key.

Le Bris has shown that he is reluctant to change his starting 11 and has tended to keep faith with his performing stars, meaning the Serbian may have to remain patient.

However, the stretch of three games without Bellingham provides Le Bris with the perfect opportunity to give Aleksic a chance, even if it is from the bench.

The 19-year-old has been named on the bench in all of Sunderland's last nine Championship matches and the Frenchman hinted that the midfielder's debut could be on the horizon.

"We are working on it. He still needs time, but I am sure he will have some opportunities to get on the pitch for us soon," the Black Cats boss told the Sunderland Echo.

Sunderland will learn much about their squad in the absence of Bellingham. The midfielder has been a revelation for the Black Cats this season and has been central to their success on the pitch.

With the 18-year-old set for a three-match suspension, it could provide a rare opportunity for Aleksic, who is yet to feature for the North East club.

The squad game will be vital to Sunderland's success this season given the relentless nature of the Championship and the Serbian will want to prove he can be relied on when called upon.