AARON Connolly is "ready" and could be set to make his Sunderland debut against former club Hull City this weekend, Regis Le Bris confirmed.

Connolly is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench against the Tigers but is ready to play having impressed Sunderland coaches behind the scenes and in two goalscoring outings for the Under-21s.

Le Bris was always reluctant to rush Connolly into action after the striker arrived as a free agent but says the former Brighton frontman's first month has gone to plan.

"We knew before we knew we needed three or four weeks to assess his physical level," said Sunderland's head coach ahead of Sunday's trip to the MKM Stadium.

"He was really fit at the beginning which was good news for us.

"He needed to get to know his teammates and the team. We had two opportunities to play with the Under-21s and he did very well, he scored which is good for a striker.

"He needed time to connect with a structure, team and teammates and now he's ready."

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Wilson Isidor is likely to again get the nod up-front for Sunderland at Hull, with Eliezer Mayenda not yet ready to return.

Wednesday's trip to Luton might also come too soon for Mayenda but Le Bris expects the striker to be back available for the home game against Oxford a week on Saturday.

That's also the case with Dan Ballard but summer signing Salis Abdul Samed - who is yet to feature for Sunderland - is still weeks away from being available.

Le Bris said: "[Mayenda] should be ready for next week. Not sure about the Luton game, but possibly Oxford United.

“Ballard should be ready for next week. Salis, maybe for the next international break.

“The final test is always the competitive, but what we can see everyday on the pitches, he is in a good place.”