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Régis Le Bris's Sunderland XIs to face RC Lens in penultimate pre-season friendlies predicted Sunderland will step up their preparations for the new campaign in France on Saturday Sunderland will step up their preparations for the new season on Saturday when they face RC Lens at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. The Black Cats are in action twice over the course of the day, beginning with a fixture against RC Lens's youth side at 11am (10am BST). Régis Le Bris is expected to name an XI predominantly made up of academy players for the first game, complimented by some senior as has been the case right the way through the pre-season programme. Le Bris will then name as close to a full-strength squad for the 4pm fixture (3pm BST), as he begins to turn his attention to the opening Premier League fixture at Portman Road against Ipswich Town in a fortnight. Sunderland's World Cup cohort have all travelled for the game, meaning that Thomas Meunier could make his first appearance in a Sunderland shirt since agreeing a two-year deal earlier this summer. Granit Xhaka and Chemsdine Talbi could also get some minutes, though Omar Alderete's involvement remains to be seen. Alderete joined his team mates back at the Academy of Light earlier this week, but is understood to be on a different recovery programme. 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. Enzo Le Fée has travelled and should feature having missed the final game of the club's US tour with a minor knock, with Nordi Mukiele and Simon Adingra also picking up knocks in that game. Jocelin Ta Bi has travelled and will feature over the course of the day, having missed the US tour due to his visa application being rejected. Leo Hjelde is highly unlikely to be involved, with the club understood to be in advanced talks over a permanent transfer to Belgian side KV Mechelen. Sunderland will be backed by a remarkable 1,500 travelling support for the game. Predicted XI v RC Lens Groupe Élite: Ellborg; Jenson Jones, Seelt, Kindon, Lightfoot; Browne, Proctor, Whittaker; Geragusian, Mundle, Ogunsuyi Predicted XI v RC Lens for Trophée 1906 game: Roefs; Mukiele, Ballard, O'Nien, Reinildo; Sadiki, Rigg, Le Fee; Hume, Angulo, Brobbey Subs: Patterson, Xhaka, Talbi, Meunier, Isidor, Ta Bi