JEREMAIN LENS hopes his winning mentality will rub off on those around him when he starts his first season in the Premier League with Sunderland.

The Dutchman, encouraged by news of France international Yannn M’Vila’s season-long loan move from Rubin Kazan yesterday morning, has only really known about battles for titles during his days with Dynamo Kyiv, PSV Eindhoven and AZ Alkmaar.

But he accepts that competing for top spot with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal this season is out of the question, but it will not take him too long to get his head round a different outlook on Wearside.

Lens, however, has not moved to Sunderland to endure the type of relegation struggle which supporters have tended to suffer since promotion to the top-flight was achieved by Roy Keane’s crop in 2007 – and he hopes he can bring the best out of those playing alongside him.

“I am not used to losing games. The last time I played for a team that was not challenging for a championship I was like 18 or 19,” said Lens. “Even that season was a really good one for me because with a small team we reached Europe League qualification.

“I hope we can do the same here, but we have to be realistic. We will fight to end as high as possible in the rankings. That could mean 12th or 13th place, but no lower than that.

“I have shown in pre-season my qualities, and Dick Advocaat has shown his qualities. All the players are happy with the new signings and they believe in the quality.

“When everybody thinks the same like that we can reach something, and when we are down in games we can change it if we have the same thoughts. We can have a good season.”

Lens has had opportunities to move to the Premier League in the past and came close to accepting a proposal a couple of years ago, only to opt for the Ukraine instead. The political troubles there, though, persuaded him that it was the time to try something new.

He said: “I’ve really enjoyed it (at Sunderland), I’ve met all my teammates and everybody from the club has been really nice. I have a really good feeling about the club. I’ve played two friendly games and everybody is ready for the first game now I think.”

The 26-year-old will start at Leicester tomorrow after taking on the challenge at Sunderland, but how did Advocaat persuade him to join him again after two previous spells together?

He said: “Everybody knows I’ve worked two times with the coach, for six months at AZ Alkmaar and for a longer period with PSV. This is my third time working with this coach, I enjoyed the first two periods so I hope I will perform the same for him.

“He was not the main reason, but it’s easier to have a Dutch coach that you know already and you have worked with well in the past. The plans of the coach were really good. He has shown he wants to build a good team with some new players. I’m confident we will get some good results.

"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 to do something in this competition.”

M’Vila is the latest of the new recruits and he will be in contention to figure against Leicester. If the France international can impress this season then a deal is in place with Rubin Kazan for a permanent deal if all parties agree.