Sunderland AFC set to enter talks with rarely-seen striker | OneFootball

Aaron Connolly has struggled for recent game time at Sunderland following September move

Régis Le Bris has confirmed that Sunderland are set for talks with Aaron Connolly amid his lack of game time.

The Irishman joined the Black Cats in late September as a free agent after departing Hull City at the end of the previous campaign.

The 24-year-old has made 10 appearances in the Championship so far this term, including two starts.

He last featured for Sunderland in their 1-0 loss to Stoke City at the end of December, with his only goal for the club coming in a 1-1 draw against Millwall in November.

Sunderland set for Connolly talks

Le Bris has confirmed that he will discuss with Connolly the best pathway forward amid his lack of playing time.

He believes that the ex-Brighton player has simply been the victim of circumstance amid the positive form of both Eliezer Mayenda and Wilson Isidor.

"We'll see. It's still important we have this discussion and conversation with him this month and we'll look to build the best pathway for our players,” said Le Bris, via The Northern Echo.

"Sometimes it's not your story.

“We don't know at the moment what will be the outcome, we'll have this conversation.

"I think it's more a question of momentum.

“We spoke a lot with Aaron.

"Eli started well and then was injured.

“After Wilson was very good and they built momentum.

"When you have this momentum you have to trust the players.

“If I change every time it doesn't make sense.

“For Aaron, he's still a good player and teammate but he has to wait."

Sunderland league position

Sunderland closed the gap to second place Burnley to just two points with their 1-0 win over Portsmouth on Sunday afternoon, maintaining their fourth place position.

Connolly was an unused substitute, with Isidor’s early first half goal proving enough to separate the two sides.

Next up for the Black Cats is a home clash against Stoke City in the FA Cup on 11 January.

Connolly needed to impress more to move up the pecking order

When Connolly arrived at Sunderland, it was clear that he was brought in more to increase the number of bodies Le Bris had to choose from in attack.

If he wanted a larger role in the side, then he needed to give more in his performances than he ultimately showed.

Perhaps he will get more opportunities to impress Le Bris, but for now Mayenda and Isidor are ahead in the pecking order.

Given his contract is set to expire in the summer, he will be hoping to get more game time soon in order to show Sunderland that he is worth keeping around beyond this season.