REGIS LE BRIS is happy to have three centre-backs vying for two spots after Chris Mepham made a victorious Sunderland debut against Middlesbrough in yesterday’s Wearside derby.

Mepham joined the Black Cats on a season-long loan from Bournemouth on deadline day. He started against Boro after Dan Ballard missed training due to a foot injury received in the defeat at Plymouth.

While Ballard was able to sit on the bench yesterday, Mepham was assigned to join Luke O’Nien in the middle of the back four.

He reacted with a slick defensive performance as Sunderland preserved their third clean sheet in five Championship games this season, and Le Bris acknowledges he now has a nice selection headache ahead of next weekend’s game against Watford.

“It wasn’t a tactical decision (to play Mepham against Boro) because Dan didn’t train during the week,” the Sunderland manager explained. “We knew Chris was prepared, and given his experience, he was an ideal guy for us to bring in.

“It is possible to play with Luke and Mepham, Luke and Ballard, or Ballard and Mepham. All of those things are now feasible, so it will be exciting for us to figure them out.”

Mepham was making his first domestic appearance of the season, having previously played for Wales in the Nations League against Montenegro earlier this month.

His previous domestic start came in Bournemouth’s 2-1 victory over Everton in March, and after convincing the 26-year-old to transfer to Wearside at the end of last month, Le Bris was overjoyed to see Mepham perform so well in his Black Cats debut.

“I am very happy for him (Mepham), and for us as well because this kind of player is very interesting and important because of his experience,” Le Bris told ESPN. “He is older, but he still wanted to come to the club and reconnect with his teammates.

“He wants to be part of the model and has consented to come here. When some of the younger players surrounding him become enthused, he can down the pace and offer advise to aid his teammates.”

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