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Thomas Meunier sends clear Sunderland selection message that fans will love ahead of new campaign Thomas Meunier made a strong start to his Sunderland career in a 45-minute cameo against RC Lens Thomas Meunier says he is not concerned about competition for places on Sunderland's right flank this season and insists he will be a positive presence in the dressing room even if not in the starting XI. The club's first summer signing looks well placed to begin the campaign in Régis Le Bris's side with Trai Hume firmly established on the right wing for the time being and Nordi Mukiele facing a race against the clock to be fit to feature against Ipswich Town. The 34-year-old says he has no doubt that all three will get minutes over the course of a long campaign, and that there will be no issues if at some stage he's out of the team on merit. Meunier said: "I have to play a bit more, to train a bit more with my teammates as well because I don't know them by heart so I have to train with them and to see how we can match also. "For example, against Lens on the pitch with Trai, it was perfect. We have a little bit of the same profile as he can be offensive, he can be defensive. He can play inside, he can play outside. He's always there to work for the team so I think we look a bit like each other on the pitch. Nordi I know from Paris, but I didn't play with him. We will have to see. Of course, my ambition is always to play, but my ambition is also to get results with the team and through the team. If I have to sit on the bench, because the guys on the pitch are better than me, it will be no problem. I've never got any problem in almost 15 years of career. It's not going to start now. "I'm the first transfer and I guess there will be many others," he added. "But of course, you play Europa League, Carabao Cup, FA Cup, Premier League.... you can reach up to 60 games and it's impossible to play them all. You have also injuries and things like this. So you know that you will be on the pitch at a certain point. When, how many times will you play, how many games... We will see. I'm there to help the team first, and after I will check for my own pleasure." 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. Meunier has slotted seamlessly into the side following his arrival after a World Cup break, and says he will improve further as he understands the game of his team mates more. "The head coach made it easier, he's really tactical and we know exactly where we have to move," Meunier said. "I need to know a bit more about my teammates in terms of their improvisation game. The way they feel when they get the ball, if they like to dribble, that kind of thing. It's more on that aspect that I'm speaking about but when you know exactly what you have to do in your position, when we have the ball and when we don't have it, when we have a high block, a low block... that kind of thing, this is all really formal. So once you know this, it's fine. But sometimes, you have a player like Enzo Le Fée who is more like an instinct player. This is what I have to work on but day after day, I think I will get to know a bit more and better my teammates." Your next Sunderland read: Régis Le Bris drops big Luke O'Nien selection hint ahead of Sunderland's Premier League opener