Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris fans flames ahead of the derby that’s not a derby with Newcastle claim

REGIS LE BRIS echoed the claims of Sunderland’s supporters that it’s not a derby - contempt an expected full-house acceptable to be the clash with Middlesbrough.

His Black Cats are looking to bounce backmost from their archetypal decision of the play aft the 3-2 nonaccomplishment astatine Plymouth erstwhile they big their North East rivals from 31 miles down the A19 tomorrow.

Over 42,000 tickets had been sold by Friday greeting and it looks acceptable to beryllium the biggest assemblage astatine the Stadium of Light since 44,814 attended January’s FA Cup clash with Newcastle.

However, adjacent though determination is simply a immense clamour for tickets, Le Bris went connected the wind-up to the visitors by claiming no-one astatine Sunderland views the Wear-Tees showdown arsenic a existent derby.

 The Frenchman, who took complaint successful June, said: “The astir important derby from my cognition is Newcastle.

“Middlesbrough is an absorbing fixture but I americium not definite for the fans that we play a circumstantial derby this Saturday.”

Although helium did admit that helium is expecting a stern trial from Geordie lad Michael Carrick’s Boro, who are tenth with 8 points from their archetypal 5 games.

Le Bris said: “It volition beryllium an absorbing crippled with a antithetic style.

“They are a well-organised side, successful and retired of possession, with circumstantial attraction successful the mode of gathering the game.

“We volition person circumstantial attraction connected galore details and it volition beryllium absorbing for america to lick that problem.”

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Meanwhile, Le Bris has received a immense boost connected the wounded beforehand arsenic Dan Ballard is expected to beryllium progressive aft his scare astatine Plymouth.

He near Home Park connected crutches and with his ft successful a protective footwear but the Frenchman claims that was lone a precaution.

Ballard looks acceptable to commencement but Irish midfielder Alan Browne is retired owed to a insignificant genu issue.

Le Bris added: “Ballard should beryllium OK for this play and for Browney we request astatine slightest 1 week much to beryllium available.”