Le Bris wants squad of 'almost 20' to be 'able to manage every competition'

[Getty Images] Regis le Bris has stressed the importance of building "a squad ready for both competitions" as his Sunderland side prepare for their first European campaign since 1973 in only their second season back in the Premier League. The Black Cats opened their pre-season with a dominant 5-1 victory over National League side York City, with Enzo Le Fee scoring twice and further goals from Chris Rigg, Timur Tutierov and Tom Proctor. "It's important to build a squad ready for both competitions," Le Bris told BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator Nick Barnes after the game at the LNER Community Stadium. "First of all, the Premier League is going to be our main target as usual, and after that it's important to strengthen the group with two or three, four maybe, core players I would say to strengthen the foundations. "And after that, we need a full group of almost 20 to be able to manage every competition." Despite 11 members of the Sunderland squad still being on holiday after featuring at the World Cup, 23 Black Cats players still featured in Saturday's game, with Le Bris changing his entire side at half-time before Leo Hjelde was forced off through injury during the second half and replaced by academy youngster Ben Kindon. "We'll go through this pre-season with different issues and dynamics to manage. We don't want to rush the the game time for our players. It was the good timing today from 11, the first 11, and then the young lads came in during the second half. "And for the players who experienced the World Club, we'll have to build the first layers without this game time at the beginning, or at least with a short game time." Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds here