Sunderland forward Jeremain Lens has revealed that he is confident his side can succeed under Dick Advocaat this season.

Advocaat was hired as the Black Cats' manager in March after Gus Poyet was sacked, and he guided the club to safety in the Premier League.

The 67-year-old originally opted to leave at the end of his short-term contract, but was lured back on a one-year deal.

Lens believes that the Dutchman's team-building skills as well as attention to detail will see the Wearsiders fare better in the top flight than their last campaign.

He told reporters: "When I was with him at PSV he had a full season, and I know he tries to build a team who know what to do in every game.

"In some games you need to do other things and it is important as a player to know what to do in what kind of games. That is his strength, and he will tell every player what to do.

"He has good plans. We have already bought a few players and maybe some more will come. He wants to build a good team and a team which can really mean something in this competition rather than just fighting to stay in it. I think some more will come, but already we have a good group."

Sunderland face Leicester City in their Premier League opener later today.