Regis Le Bris will preside over a busy Sunderland pre-season _(Image: Ian Horrocks)_
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SUNDERLAND have confirmed matches in Portugal, Scotland and England as part of their pre-season schedule ahead of the start of the Premier League season.
As has become traditional in recent years, the [Black Cats](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/sunderland) will kick off their pre-season programme with a North-East double-header.
Regis Le Bris will split his first-team squad between matches at Gateshead and South Shields that will both take place on Saturday, July 12. The game at Gateshead will kick off at 12.30pm, with the match at South Shields scheduled to start at 4pm.
Le Bris and his players will then head to Portugal for a pre-season training camp on the Algarve.
Sunderland will play two matches at the Estadio Algarve as part of their Portuguese trip. The opponents for the games are still to be finalised, but the matches will take place on Saturday, July 19 and Monday, July 21.
After returning to Wearside, the Black Cats will then head north of the border to Edinburgh on Saturday, July 26 to face Hearts.
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The game at Tynecastle is a testimonial fixture to celebrate the career of Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who previously played for Sunderland and who continues to represent the Scottish side.
Sunderland will head to Hull City's MKM Stadium on Tuesday, July 29 before playing a showcase home game at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats will host Spanish La Liga side Real Betis on Saturday, August 2.
They will then complete their pre-season match schedule on the weekend of August 9-10, although the venue and opponents for their final summer game are still to be finalised.