Le Bris on opener to 'exciting' season, Xhaka and transfer business

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against newly promoted Ipswich at Portman Road (kick-off 15:00 BST). Here are the key lines from his news conference: On the upcoming campaign, which will feature European football in the Europa League: "I am excited. We are going into one of the most exiting seasons in 52 years. It will be challenging but a big boost for the club and the lads last season earned it." On team news: "All of our player are available expect Simon [Adingra]. We will see about the game time because they [all the players] are not the same fitness-wise." Asked how important the first game of the season is, Le Bris replied: "It is important to start well because you build the momentum, but you still have an opponent. And you can lose - that is possible. The only thing we have under control is us and after that, you will see the results." He added: "If we follow the pundits and the odds it's hard to be positive. It's about being Sunderland and not the odds. We will stay true to ourselves." When asked about a deal for Toulouse left-back Dayann Methalie, who reportedly has had issues with a medical after the Black Cats agreed a £25.6m fee to sign the 20-year-old last week, Le Bris said: "No comment." On the situation of captain Granit Xhaka, who was a target for Chelsea earlier this summer: "Behind the scenes, nothing happened with him. It is really clear - he loves this club and this group. He loves to be a part of this journey." On transfer business more generally, he added: "It is good to keep the core of the group. Players want to stay in Sunderland and that is big. It is quality not quantity and we want the same dynamic as last season." Le Bris said the market "isn't easy" but he "trusts the club and the process of the window". He added: "If we don't have early signings this season there is a reason. It's not because we don't want to achieve the targets but because it is not possible at the minute." Hit play above to hear more from Le Bris, speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes, or listen on BBC Sounds here Listen to full commentary of Ipswich v Sunderland on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 and BBC Sounds on Saturday Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news Got a question about Sunderland? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts [BBC]