Sunderland forward Jeremain Lens is set to pull on a Black Cats shirt for the first time in a pre-season friendly at Doncaster on Wednesday night.

The Netherlands international Lens arrived on Wearside from Dynamo Kiev on July 15 in a reported £8.5million deal and flew out midway through the club’s North American tour although he did not play.

Stadium of Light chief Dick Advocaat knows the 27-year-old forward well after working with him at PSV Eindhoven and AZ Alkmaar.

Lens is now set to play a part at the Keepmoat Stadium against League One Rovers as Advocaat looks to hit the ground running against Leicester on the opening day of the new Premier League season.

However, fellow summer signings Younes Kaboul and Sebastian Coates may not be risked by the Dutch boss.

He told the Chronicle: “They started quite late. It takes a little bit longer but hopefully something can change, and they will train Saturday and Sunday as well.

“Lens is coming on, but Kaboul and Coates need a little longer. Give it a week and that could all change.”

Sunderland have struggled in the Premier League for the last two seasons and supporters will be hoping for better during the 2015-16 campaign.

The Black Cats – on paper – do not seem to have too daunting an opening run of fixtures as after the trip to the Foxes they have back-to-back home games against Norwich and Swansea before heading to Aston Villa on Saturday, August 29.

Advocaat’s men are 4.00 to win at the King Power Stadium with Leicester 2.00 and the draw 3.30.