HAVING both Tommy Watson and Romaine Mundle back fully fit and available for the promotion run-in can be a Sunderland game-changer, says Regis Le Bris.
Mundle and Watson have shone on the left flank for the Black Cats this season but Le Bris was without both wingers for a lengthy spell.
Mundle starred in the early weeks of the season, impressively filling the void left by Jack Clarke after his summer exit. But the former Tottenham youngster was then forced to miss 17 games between November and February because of injury.
Mundle's setback presented Watson with an opportunity, but he too suffered an injury blow and was absent for 15 games from mid-December to the start of March.
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In the absence of his left wingers, Le Bris had to experiment, with Enzo Le Fee, a central midfielder, playing on the flank after his January arrival.
But both wingers are now back to full fitness, with Mundle making five appearances before the international break and Watson three.
Le Bris plans to rotate the pair on the left flank rather than trying to force one of them into his side in another position.
And he thinks both attackers can have a major impact in the promotion run-in.
"It's very important to have specific wingers," said the head coach, whose Sunderland side have eight games to play before a play-off campaign they look certain to be a part of.
"We struggled a long part of the season without specific wingers.
"In our game model, these wingers are very important. When you play with other players, Enzo for example, they can play in that position but they don't have the same qualities to fit this position in one vs one situations.
"Romaine and Tommy like doing this job and I hope they will grow again in this position."
