Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League game against Dinamo Zagreb at Stadium of Light (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Le Bris confirmed Habib Diarra will be out "probably around six weeks" with a muscle injury, adding: "We are sad for him. He worked hard to get back after the previous injury. We expected him because he's important in our squad. So we have to understand exactly the injury, the why and to prepare him for the next comeback."

• The Sunderland boss also confirmed Chemsdine Talbi has been added to their Europa League squad in Diarra's place and is available for the game.

• On the rest of the squad's fitness: "We don't have many injuries, but they are serious. Romain [Mundle], [Dan] Ballard and Habib now, but for the others, they want to play and that's a really positive vibe we can feel on the pitch. We want to prove that we are a good team and we can bounce back."

• Ballard has been on the bike on Wednesday morning and has an expected return date to training of mid-December.

• On their form in Europe compared with the Premier League: "Growing pains. Is it unexpected? I would say no. We are experiencing probably the most demanding challenge Sunderland has ever faced in its history. Premier League, Europa League, quarter-final in Carabao Cup, FA Cup later. We earned it last season and we are pleased to be in this position, but playing every three days is much more demanding than preparing a game with one full week, and so it's a new journey."

• When asked about the gap between the English top flight and Europe, he responded: "I think the gap is big and it's positive for the Premier League first of all. It shows the level. The difference between the bottom and top of the league is not so big and it's really tight. So for us, it means that every three days you have to reset, set the highest standards and it's a new journey."

• Le Bris feels Dinamo Zagreb, who parted company with their manager Mario Kovacevic earlier this week, were "interesting to analyse" and that "when you don't know how the opponent will evolve, you focus on your strength". He added: "I think we have to show our identity once again to prove what we are, that is probably the main focus".