Sunderland are currently experiencing their worst run of the season and after losing 1-0 to promotion rivals Sheffield United on Friday evening, they are now winless in six. It's been a very difficult few weeks for the Black Cats, who have gone from the league leaders to five points off the top in the space of a month.

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Regis Le Bris admits there is still a “large gap” between the core members of his Sunderland squad and some of the younger players.