Aleksic's struggles leave questions for Le Bris
- Published
Former Sunderland defender Danny Collins has reflected on Milan Aleksic's struggling start to his career at the club after the 0-0 draw with Norwich City marked just his second start for the Black Cats.
Aleksic became a Black Cat in August last year, joining from Serbian side Radnicki on a four-year contract, but has made just six appearances in the Championship, becoming a perennial unused substitute as he tries to adapt to English football.
Regis Le Bris started the 19-year-old at Carrow Road on the right-hand side of midfield but Aleksic lasted 68 minutes without making much of an impact on proceedings.
"It's been a difficult one for him," Collins told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"From what I've seen prior to Norwich, I thought he had been quite good. A couple of opportunities which he hadn't taken but he was quite sharp with the ball in the middle of the park.
"I think his favourite position would be playing in an eight, and I thought Regis Le Bris would have played him there against Norwich and Chris Rigg would be the one out on the right with Patrick Roberts dropping to the bench.
"But he put Aleksic out on the right-hand side and he struggled.
"I think both wingers did. Tommy [Watson] came in on the left and neither could really get into the game, beat the full-back and look after the ball."
With their play-off status secured following the stalemate at Norwich, Sunderland's next game is against Swansea City on Saturday and Le Bris may look to experiment with his line-ups and personnel over the remaining five games of the regular season, potentially giving someone like Aleksic more opportunities.
"He's been on the bench 31 times unused this season," Collins added. "As a player that's demoralising. Week-in, week-out, he's probably thinking, 'I'm not getting on here'.
"When we're saying about Chris Rigg and Jobe [Bellingham] playing week after week and fans have been saying they look a bit leggy now, give him 10-15 minutes in games and he's not been getting that.
"Then to chuck him straight in last night and he struggled and he looked frustrated when he went off. So, interesting now to see what happens with him on Saturday.
"Does Le Bris keep Aleksic back in there? Or maybe brings him back out and he'll have to reassess, keep his head down and train again."