What Sunderland should do with every returning loan player as Regis Le Bris reinstates ‘unbelievable’ star to first-team

Sunderland currently have several players plying their trade on loan away from Wearside, many of which have had differing levels of success.

It was clear that Regis Le Bris wanted a slim-lined squad for the 2024/25 season, which saw many players, even those that played a part last season, to be moved on this campaign.

Looking at the players away from Sunderland currently on loan, we looked at what Le Bris and Kriatjaan Speakman could decide to do with them next season…

Abdoullah Ba joined Ligue 2 club USL Dunkerque in January with the hopes to rejuvenate his form and get back into the groove, however, he has not even been named in the first team squad for the French side in four games. His most recent action came on Friday afternoon as he started in a friendly for Dunkerque, only to be replaced shortly after half-time.

It is clear that, with Ba struggling to notch game time in France’s second-tier, he will return this summer still very low down the pecking order in Le Bris’ side, which could ultimately see Sunderland sanction a permanent sale.

Adil Aouchiche was a surprise departure in the January transfer window, especially considering the lack of depth at the time on the left flank due to injuries.

Fortunately for Sunderland, Aouchiche’s trip to the south coast hasn’t seemed to have hindered his development, with the Frenchman being handed the game time he needs to thrive, having notched five successive starts and bagging a goal against Plymouth Argyle recently.

Hopefully, Le Bris will hand more of a chance for Aouchiche in the 2025/26 season to cement a first-team spot.

Nathan Bishop finds himself on loan at Cambridge, where he has been cemented as the first-team shot-stopper for the side currently battling relegation in League One