Regis le Bris' side will face Gateshead and South Shields on Saturday
Regis Le Bris, manager of Sunderland, acknowledges the fans following victory and subsequent promotion to the Premier League
Regis Le Bris(Image: Getty Images)
Gateshead manager Alun Armstrong believes Saturday’s friendly meeting with a Sunderland XI (12.30pm kick-off) will provide a ‘great opportunity’ for his players as they continue their preparations for the new National League season.
Armstrong’s managerial reign got underway with a 4-0 win at Northern Premier League neighbours Hebburn Town on Tuesday - and the Heed will return to the same venue on Saturday lunchtime to face a Black Cats development side.
Concerns over the state of the International Stadium pitch forced a hasty rearrangement of the fixture as it was switched to Hebburn Sports Ground and Sunderland have since confirmed they will send a younger side to face Gateshead.
Speaking before the fixture change was confirmed, Armstrong told Chronicle Live: “It’s probably too big of a jump to be honest, to jump from this (Hebburn) to that (Sunderland). I would have liked a couple of different games in between but you take these kind of games when you can.
Content Image
Content Image
"It’s going to be a great opportunity for the lads to test themselves, some will get a little bit more, there won’t be as many of the young lads involved. It’ll be more minutes for the lads and it’s all about building it up.
“I am really looking forward to the game to see how we deal with the quality Sunderland possess.”
A more senior Sunderland side will kickstart their own preparations for their big return to the Premier League just hours later when they visit National League North neighbours South Shields (4pm).
The game also marks a significant occasion for their hosts as the Mariners prepare for their first game under new head coach Ian Watson after the former Gateshead, MK Dons and Carlisle United assistant was named as successor to Elliott Dickman last month.
Watson has wasted little time in making an impact during his first venture into the main role in the dugout after adding Gateshead defender Robbie Tinkler, Hartlepool United full-back Dan Dodds, Middlesbrough youngster Cain Sykes and Sunderland midfielder Caden Kelly to his squad.
Further new additions have continued this week after Crawley Town goalkeeper Jasper Sheik and Swindon Town winger Sean McGurk both moved to the 1st Cloud Arena and Watson has also persuaded Mariners stalwart Dillon Morse to extend his time with the club.
With all eyes now on his first game in charge, Watson has described the meeting with a strong Sunderland side as ‘perfect’ as he looks to get his managerial career underway in style.
He explained: “It couldn’t be a more perfect pre-season friendly for us with the momentum that Sunderland have got.
"I was at the Coventry game, the home leg of the semi-final and it’s the best atmosphere I’ve ever been involved in and the momentum of the whole place, with the signings they’re making, it looks like they are going into the Premier League looking to make an impact, to stay there and have an impact up there.
“From my point of view, with it being my first season as a head coach and my first season with South Shields, Sunderland are providing us with the perfect opposition for our first pre-season friendly and it is our aim to make sure we are the perfect opposition for a big season for them as well.”