"Hopefully" - Sunderland AFC ace drops play-off wish involving Bristol City | OneFootball

The Black Cats could be facing Liam Manning's side once again in the coming weeks.

Sunderland loanee Enzo Le Fee has outlined his hopes of facing off against Bristol City in the upcoming Championship play-off semi-finals.

Regis Le Bris' men were defeated 2-1 at Ashton Gate on Good Friday in what was the Frenchman's first taste of action from the Black Cats' starting lineup since a 1-0 defeat against Hull City on 22 February at the Stadium of Light.

The Robins are one of the division's most in-form sides at present, having made a late surge into the top six after losing just three of their last 19 second tier outings, as well as winning their past four encounters in BS3 by a 2-1 scoreline against an array of potential rivals for a top six place.

However, Le Fee, who could turn into a permanent Sunderland player for £20m if the Wearside outfit end their eight-year exile from the Premier League, believes that those in attendance didn't get the best taste of what his team is capable of, as Trai Hume's red card after fouling Nakhi Wells reduced Le Bris' side to 10 men for 83 minutes.

Enzo Le Fee outlines hopes of Bristol City vs Sunderland play-off semi-final clash

Speaking to official club media after second-half strikes from Rob Dickie and Ross McCrorie cancelled out Eliezer Mayenda's eighth goal of the season, Le Fee stated that his Sunderland teammates must hold a strong mentality heading into the post-season lottery, before outlining his ambition to avenge the defeat in the West Country.

"10 against 11 is tough," he said. "We worked hard."

"Hopefully we are going to play against them during the play-offs," the 25-year-old added.

"Like that, we can show them how we can play football, 11 against 11. Hopefully we will play against them," the playmaker concluded.

Sunderland need to build momentum heading into the play-offs

It has been well-documented for a number of weeks now that Sunderland have had very little to play for in the final weeks of the season aside from building momentum ahead of a second play-off campaign in three years at this level, and a third in four seasons when taking the club's success in the League One play-off final against Wycombe Wanderers back in May 2022 into account.

Le Bris has opted to rotate his side in recent outings, with three coming in defeat against City on Friday, and that continued to be the former Lorient boss' mantra in his own post-match interview.

"We tried to win the game but we want the players in the best shape. We are building the squad and team with this opportunity because we have secured the play-offs and that was the main objectives."

However, in the past six games, the North East club have, by far and away, the worst record of the sides currently holding a play-off spot, taking just seven points from the 18 available, with the two victories in said timeframe coming against Cardiff City and Millwall at the Stadium of Light.

Le Fee's point of view is understandable, as a first-choice XI would be the order of the day if Sunderland were to face off against any opposition, never mind City, in the semi-finals, with the attack and creative influence at Le Bris' disposal known to cause havoc for any side in the division.

It has to be said that momentum is slowly fading, and with the Robins and sixth-placed Coventry City currently having the wind in their sails, it perhaps wouldn't be a surprise if neither of the Black Cats or third-placed Sheffield United were successful, with the play-offs no doubt, set to provide plenty of continued drama and storylines.