WAHBI KHAZRI has warned England’s players not to underestimate Tunisia ahead of the two sides’ meeting at this summer’s World Cup finals in Russia.

England will kick off their Group G campaign against Tunisia in Volgograd on June 18, and while the majority of the Tunisian side will be unknown quantities to the majority of England fans, one name will need no introduction on Wearside.

Khazri is currently on a season-long loan at French side Rennes, but the winger remains a Sunderland player and is due to return to the Black Cats when his short-term deal in Ligue 1 expires.

He is expected to make a permanent departure from the Stadium of Light at some stage this summer, but will still be on Sunderland’s books when he lines up against England in June.

Gareth Southgate’s side will start as strong favourites, with Tunisia having failed to get beyond the group stage on all four of their previous appearances at the World Cup finals, but Khazri claims it would be wrong to underestimate his side.

After taking on England, Tunisia will also play Belgium and Panama, and the 27-year-old claims qualification for the knock-out stage is a realistic ambition.

“For me, who played in England, it will be an interesting match, and that excites me a lot,” said Khazri, who was signed by Sam Allardyce from Bordeaux. “I will be keen to show what I can do.

“We have the World Cup in a corner of our heads, and we all think about it, I guess. We train and work hard every day for this kind of event. It will be an honour to be there. I give myself the means every day.

“We know that it will be complicated, including against Panama. We must not underestimate anyone. But we have a good generation of players and I hope that we will be able to create a surprise and qualify.”

With Sunderland seemingly headed towards League One, Khazri accepts this summer’s tournament is an ideal opportunity to put himself in the shop window as he looks to engineer a permanent move away from Wearside.

He has been in excellent form in Ligue 1 this season, scoring 11 goals in 23 appearances and weighing in with a further three assists, but while Rennes would like to sign him permanently, they will struggle to meet Sunderland’s asking price and Khazri’s wage demands.

The Black Cats paid £9m to sign the winger in January 2016, and will be looking to recoup as much of that fee as possible, with Khazri hoping for an opportunity to return to the English top-flight.

“Every World Cup match will be highly watched,” said Khazri. “It will therefore be powerful to try and bounce back in the Premier League. We must be good every game, and give the best for our country, every meeting. After that, what will come will come.”

Khazri has enjoyed his time with Rennes, with the French club fielding him as a central striker in a number of games this season.

“I feel good in Brittany,” he said. “I am lucky to be in a club where I enjoy a lot of confidence. It’s good to find time for play and fun. That’s what I missed a little during the year-and-a-half I spent in England.”