Van Aanholt backing Lens to be Sunderland fans’ favourite

While Advocaat labelled the 2-0 defeat to Doncaster Rovers “a poor result”, the Dutchman highlighted Sunderland’s fitness and urged his players to show improvement against Hannover on Saturday – their final friendly before the 2015-16 Premier League season begins.

The Black Cats were beaten 2-nill when they travelled down to South Yorkshire to play Doncaster.

Ex-Liverpool man Coates was a key figure in Sunderland’s escape from the drop at the end of last season, while Kaboul has plenty of Premier League pedigree after eight years in the top flight with Spurs and Portsmouth.

Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat attempted to remain positive after watching his team slump to their third loss of the pre-season.

Swapping flanks repeatedly, he threatened whenever he cut inside, with his best moments coming just before the interval as he burst between two Doncaster defenders, only for his low strike to deflect narrowly wide of the target, and midway through the second half, when he drilled in a ferocious long-range effort, only for Doncaster goalkeeper Thorsten Stuckmann to tip the ball around the post.

Will Sunderland turn their fortunes around next season?

New signing Jeremain Lens got his first start for the club while the latest addition to the squad Younes Kaboul came off the bench to replace John O’Shea at the break.

Doncaster doubled their lead just after the hour mark after Jack Rodwell’s poor clearance was pounced on by Harry Forrester, who made no mistake from 10 yards.

Jeremain Lens will excite and entertain the Sunderland supporters, according to compatriot Patrick van Aanholt.

Check out our gallery of pictures from Lens’ and Kaboul’s Sunderland debuts.

Subs (not used): Mannone (gk), Pickford (gk).