Lens will play until Cats exit is agreed

JEREMAIN Lens vowed to stay 100% committed to the cause for as long as he stays with Sunderland.

The Dutch forward has been one of the Black Cats’ stand-out players in pre-season but is keen to move on and has been repeatedly linked with a summer move.

A return to Turkey where he spent last season on loan at Fenerbahce appears the most likely destination.

But Sunderland boss Simon Grayson has made it clear he will continue to utilise any player who is under contract.

To his credit Lens has shown no signs of slacking off to force a move.

Lens provided the assist for Josh Maja to open the scoring in the 3-2 friendly win at Bradford City, and then scored a brilliant individual goal himself – his fourth of pre-season.

“I’m a Sunderland player and because of that I’ll do everything for the club, so I’ll keep fighting and work hard for the team and hopefully keep scoring goals,” said the 29-year-old former Dynamo Kiev man, who joined Sunderland two years ago.

“The most important part of pre-season for the team – and also myself – is making sure you’re fit so you have to keep working hard to become as fit as possible.”

Lens’ chip at Bradford continued his run of spectacular goals, having curled home a fine freekick winner in the final minute at Hartlepool last week, and producing a 25-yard rocket strike in the 3-0 win at Livingstone the previous week.

Lens told safc.com: “It’s always good to score goals.

“Sometimes you score beautiful goals and sometimes they’re normal, so I’m lucky that I’m scoring nice ones in this moment.

“I’m feeling fit so hopefully I can continue my performances.”