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Régis Le Bris sets out honest view on Sunderland aims for 2026/27 season with upbeat message Sunderland play their penultimate pre-season friendly on Saturday when they face RC Lens Régis Le Bris says Sunderland are not setting any limits on what they can achieve this season as they prepare for a historic campaign. Having shocked neutrals last season with a seventh-placed finish in the Premier League, Sunderland will compete in Europe this year for the first time in over 50 years. Though the Black Cats were widely expected to suffer an immediate relegation last season, internally they set no target for the campaign and are determined to do the same this time around. Le Bris says the focus will, as usual, be on hitting 40 points as quickly as possible but that the club will embrace all of the competitions in which they will feature. The head coach believes the club are further forward than they were this time last year as they prepare to face RC Lens in their penultimate pre-season friendly on Saturday, and that many individuals within the squad are well placed to kick on again. The Echo is in France this weekend to provide full coverage of Sunderland’s pre-season clash with RC Lens. "Last season I told you that it was important to not set a limit before and it's going to be the same this time," Le Bris said. "It's really clear that this 40-point target will be a priority, as usual I would say, and at the same time we want to give everything to enjoy the different competitions we'll face and to go as far as possible. We'll see, because this group didn't show a limit last season and I expect the same, because even now in the training camp we feel that the culture is much bigger than the previous season at the same time, so it's a good sign. Our players now have one more season in the Premier League or their first season in the Premier League [under their belt]. The Echo has launched a new WhatsApp SAFC Channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates direct to your phone. Simply click this link to join our SAFC WhatsApp channel. "Some of them have World Cup experience, so they grew really quickly and we need to feel it on the pitch now. It doesn't mean that it's going to be easier because the Premier League is so demanding, but we don't want to set a limit and we want to push as far as possible." Le Bris is set to name a strong side to face the Ligue 1 club as they turn their attention to the clash with Ipswich Town on opening day in a fortnight.