Bertrand Traore assists for Burkina Faso in position Regis Le Bris doesn’t want him playing at Sunderland

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Bertrand Traore shone in a new position away from Sunderland as he starred for Burkina Faso in World Cup qualifying.

The 30-year-old followed Brian Brobbey to the Stadium of Light on deadline day as the pair made the switch from Ajax.

Traore started his first match for Regis Le Bris during the 2-0 loss against Manchester United, heading into the international break.

Sunderland have defied expectations in the Premier League this season, and, despite the loss last time out, the side still sit seven points clear of the relegation zone after seven matches.

Fellow summer arrival Chesmedine Talbi has operated on the right flank but has failed to impress since his assist against West Ham United on the opening day.

However, the Moroccan may retain his place in the side when club football resumes after Traore dazzled in a new role on international duty.

Bertrand Traore stars as a striker for Burkina Faso

The former Aston Villa man assisted Mohamed Zougrana for the only goal of the game to secure a 1-0 win against Sierra Leone on Wednesday.

Burkina Faso remained in touching distance of group leaders Egypt, following the victory, with Traore producing a dominant performance as he led the line for his country.

Traore has been dubbed a panic buy for the Black Cats as initial discussions to bring Brobbey to the North East led to a £2.6 million deal being struck for his teammate.

Indeed, following his first year in the Premier League, during which he provided seven goals and six assists in 36 appearances for Villa, he failed to replicate those heights in his subsequent three years in the West Midlands.

Former Arsenal and Manchester City forward Emmanuel Adebayor helped advise Traore during his torrid spell at Villa prior to his move to Villarreal.

Although Wilson Isidor has been in form at the start of the season, the Frenchman is the only Sunderland player thus far to score more than one goal in the league.

Traore could certainly be an option to help ease the goalscoring burden on Isidor, particularly if Le Bris wishes to prioritise the development of Talbi despite his previous admission.

Regis Le Bris does not want Bertrand Traore to play as a striker

It appears that, for now, Le Bris sees Traore’s best position on the right flank, and this is where he will be utilised for Sunderland for the foreseeable future.

The Black Cats boss told the Sunderland Echo after Traore’s signing was announced that he feels his summer signing can make the most impact playing as a winger.

“I think his (Traore) role could be close to the role of Pat Roberts for the beginning of the season. He has this profile.

“I think he can play in different positions. But I like him as a right-winger, left-footed, creative with the ability to change the game. And in one-versus-one, in combination play, he’s a good finisher.

“He can create against deep blocks. He can create in transition. We’ll see after that if he can fit in as a starter. Probably, he can compete for this because of his background and his experience. But, at least, I think he has this ability to change the game.”