Advocaat rules out 4-4-2 formation

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Sunderland have lined up in a 4-3-3 formation in both of their two friendlies in California and, although Advocaat is not certain of his plans for the new season, he admits he is unlikely to experiment with 4-4-2 as he seeks to get the best out of Lens following his £8million capture from Dynamo Kiev.

Advocaat told the Sunderland Echo: “We have to think about whether we will stick with the 4-3-3.

“But Lens is not really a player for a 4-4-2.

“He can go in between the lines and likes going past his man. We don’t have that with (Connor) Wickham.

“Connor works his socks off, but he doesn’t go past players, he’s a different type of player.

“Lens is one who likes to chase players.

“He can play left and right. He can even play as a striker, sometime I used him like that at PSV.

“But left or right is his best position because he is always a threat there. We haven’t had that.”