Play-offs will re-spark Sunderland - Le Bris

Sunderland have not moved from fourth place since 26 November

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris believes that the prize of Premier League football will be just the spark his team needs heading into the play-offs.

The Black Cats face Coventry City in the semi-finals with the first leg away at the CBS Arena on Friday (20:00 BST).

They come into this match on the back of five straight losses to end the regular season to take on a Sky Blues side who only secured their play-off spot four days ago, but Le Bris acknowledges that poor run as an unusual situation.

"Now we'll play for a specific event and with something to chase, so the mindset will be completely different," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

'Hard for any team with nothing to chase'

After an electric start to the season in which they won nine of their opening dozen games, the Black Cats have been in the Championship's upper echelons.

They have not been lower than fourth at any stage this season and have spent almost six months in that exact position.

Le Bris' team were still in the conversation about a top-two spot as late as February until a dramatic injury-time defeat away to Championship title winners Leeds United effectively ended those chances.

Since then, their form has been indifferent with the Wearside club struggling to find the same intensity as in the opening six months of the season.

To end with five consecutive defeats and just one goal scored has raised concerns that Sunderland will not be able to shake off this lethargy, but Le Bris believes his players are the victims of their own good play earlier in the campaign.

"This started with a massive achievement," said the Frenchman. "We were in the top four all season.

"After Leeds and Hull (defeats), we felt that automatic promotion became unrealistic and at the same time, fourth place was secured very early.

"We had nothing to chase and in that situation, it's very difficult for all the teams in the world.

"Look at Paris St Germain, for example. They won the title and went unbeaten all season. But as they started to prepare the (Champions League) semi-final, they lost two games in a row.

"If one of the biggest teams in the world can struggle in that situation, it can be the case for us, as well."

Frank Lampard's Coventry side have been on the charge since he arrived in November with 52 points from his 29 games.

That included a 3-0 win over Sunderland in the west Midlands in March, but Le Bris is confident that the best version of his players will be on show.

"We're happy to play these games, with strong ambition, strong confidence and the desire to play our best football possible," he added.