ROMAINE Mundle believes Sunderland's wingers are in the "perfect" position as they prepare to compete for places on the flank this season.

Mundle was by far Sunderland's stand-out performer in Tuesday night's 2-1 defeat at Bradford City, with the winger scoring a deserved goal in the second half.

The former Tottenham winger was on the left flank and the returning Abdoullah Ba, making his first appearance of the summer after injury, was on the right. The pair both have quite the challenge on their hands this season as they set about displacing first choice widemen Jack Clarke and Patrick Roberts, but Mundle believes that competition will bring the best out of all of Sunderland's wingers.

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“Everyone's fighting for their place in the team, but it's just competitive and it's to uplift the whole team as well," said Mundle.

"Everyone needs it. It makes everyone train and play games 110 per cent, so I feel like it's perfect."

Regis Le Bris made 11 changes at Valley Parade, giving Sunderland's fringe players an opportunity to impress - and Mundle took his chance.

"I think it was an alright night,” said the winger.

“I hit some personal targets, so yeah, it was a good night. I just think pre-season is just a fresh start for everyone. A fresh start to impress and show everyone what you're really made of."

Mundle arrived in January at a time when the Black Cats were struggling so it was difficult for the winger to make an instant impression on Wearside. But he's enjoyed the summer and has done everything in his power to impress the new boss.

He said: “I don't feel that there's pressure, but at the end of the day, the manager picks the team and we'll just continue working hard.

“It's been a good test for myself and the boys. But also I've enjoyed the couple of weeks that have gone and we're just taking every game as it comes, even pre-season games. And hopefully, we can just take it into the season.”