SAM ALLARDYCE has confirmed Dutch winger Jeremain Lens will be back in the Sunderland squad at Manchester City on Boxing Day despite hinting he could leave next month.

Lens was left out of the Black Cats squad for Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Chelsea for disciplinary reasons and he has been fined. He has not started a game since the derby victory over Newcastle in October.

The situation led to the £13m signing stating that he “did not come to the Premier League to sit on the bench” and he also suggested that he could leave in the January transfer window.

But Allardyce has left the door open for Lens to make an impact in a Sunderland shirt under him by challenging Lens to prove he was worth the summer investment.

The Sunderland boss said: “Get on the pitch and show us what you can do. Prove to us all that you're the talent we expected with the performances that have been achieved in other parts of the world before.

“That's why Dick Advocaat brought him here. I'd like to see some of that. Hopefully that can be the case, pushing on from now on.”

Asked if Lens still had a role to play, Allardyce said: "Absolutely because he's one of our biggest signings, we've been through the process and we're both in the same opinion as to how we got forward and we've put him back in the squad.

“When he gets the chance to play let's hope he can grasp that chance. He's an immense talent as has been shown in other countries.”

Sunderland are without Lee Cattermole (back), Seb Larsson (hamstring), Adam Matthews (ankle) and Younes Kaboul, who has a hamstring injury sustained at Chelsea. Midfielder Jack Rodwell is also suspended after picking up five yellow cards.

Allardyce said: “I'm shocked Jack picked up five bookings he must have been booked every time he played almost. I've spoken to him about making the right decision on the field about closing the opposition player down.”

Cattermole will miss the trip to the Etihad but could be in contention for the visit of Liverpool to the Stadium of Light on December 30.