Sunderland are making progress in their bid to strengthen the squad for the new season

Régis Le Bris says Sunderland will be patient in a 'slow' summer transfer window.

Sunderland signed free agent Thomas Meunier earlier this week, with the 34-year-old now going on a break following his World Cup commitments with Belgium before linking up with his new team mates in August. The Black Cats are working hard behind the scenes to strengthen their squad further to cope with the demands of Premier League and Europa League football, but Le Bris says a strong foundation allows the club to be patient.

Le Bris said: "I'm never relaxed, I don't know this word!

"But yes, it's a bit different this summer. Last season, we had to sign 14 new players and this time we'll probably go for six or seven.

"It's half of the job we've done last season, so it's going to be different. More precise, which is good because we have a strong foundation. We never know because the market is slow this season. It's better to wait and to take the right decision rather than rushing anything."

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Régis Le Bris rects to Sunderland’s first pre-season game at York City

Le Bris said he was pleased with his team's first outing of the pre-season programme, with an experienced side scoring four goals in the first half before a young XI drew 1-1 in the second.

"It's important to experience the game situation in real time," he said.

"And to be fair, York played good football this afternoon. We tested our defensive structure and in the first half we scored four goals, which is positive. We'll go through this pre-season with different issues and dynamics to manage - we don't want to rush the game time for our players.

"It was good timing today for the first eleven, and then the young lads came in during the second half. And for the players who experienced the World Cup, we'll have to build the first players without this game time at the beginning, or at least for a short game time. Progressively, through Lens and Rennes, and then the first game of the season, I hope we'll have the full squad."

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