Aaron Connolly had ‘specific goal to be ready’ for return to Hull as Sunderland boss provides update after rehab hell
REGIS LE BRIS says Aaron Connolly is desperate to face some of the demons of his past and make his debut against former club Hull City.
Sunderland head to the Tigers knowing a victory would ensure they end the day top of the Championship.
Irish forward Connolly, 24, revealed last week that he underwent treatment for alcohol addiction after he was released by Hull this summer.
The brave ace, who famously burst on the Premier League scene aged 19 with Brighton thanks to a brace against Tottenham, opened up about how drinking had impacted his life and career to coincide with World Mental Health Day.
Following his spell in rehab, Connolly was handed a chance to resurrect his career by Sunderland.
And after scoring a couple of goals for the Under-21s in midweek, Le Bris says he is desperate to be unleashed against the side he got eight goals for last term despite claiming that his “life was a mess” while he was on Humberside.
The French coach said: “I think that it was a specific goal for him to be ready for this game.
“We haven’t rushed the project, it was perfect, and I don’t know if we will use him but he is available.”
He continued: “We knew before we knew we needed three or four weeks to assess his physical level.
“He was really fit at the beginning which was good news for us.
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“He needed to get to know his teammates and the team. We had two opportunities to play with the U21s and he did very well, he scored which is good for a striker.
“He needed time to connect with a structure, team and team-mates and now he’s ready.”
On the bravery of Connolly sharing his issues with the world, Le Bris said: “It is very interesting to share these ideas instead of hiding and pretending that it doesn’t exist.
“The first thing is to recognise your mistakes and then the next is to avoid any repetition.
“So it’s not a problem for us to talk about any problems a player has had in their career, whether it is a small detail on the pitch or a bigger one off it.
“I’m OK with that and it is a problem for the players in the dressing-room.”
And Le Bris says that he has not had to put a shoulder around the forward since he bared his soul.
But he did stress that everyone at the club would be there for him if he needed them.
Le Bris added: “I don’t exactly know Aaron’s personality, it’s been three weeks now, but I think that he doesn’t need specific attention.
“He knows what is important for him and that it is important to succeed now and he’s very connected to that project.
“We’ll take care of him and I’m not sure he needs attention at the moment.”
He will be vying with Wilson Isidor to start up front but Eliezer Mayenda is not expected to be available after injury until next weekend.
Dan Ballard is also likely to be back to face Oxford but summer signing Salis Abdul Samed – who is yet to play for the Black Cats – remains several weeks away from being available.
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