Sunderland kick off the 2026/27 campaign at York City this Saturday
Sunderland are back in pre-season training and stepping up their preparations for the new campaign with their first friendly against York City on Saturday.
Here, we run you through what we've noticed from the behind-scenes footage and pictures so far...
Double injury boost confirmed
Both Dan Ballard and Romaine Mundle have been pictured taking part in the team sessions, a welcome boost ahead of Saturday's game.
Sunderland took a cautious approach with Mundle at the end of last season, choosing not to rush him back from a hamstring injury. That should pay dividends now with the winger set for a big opportunity to impress as Chemsdine Talbi and Nilson Angulo recover from their World Cup campaigns. With two years left on his deal and competition for places significant it may well be that Mundle leaves the club later this summer but however things develop from here, having him match fit and in form benefits everyone.
As for Ballard, that controversial red card against Wolves did at least give him the chance to have surgery on an ankle issue a little earlier than anticipated. It looks to have worked out as well as could have been hoped, ahead of a campaign where he will once again be a vital part of Le Bris's plans.
Youngster set for major opportunity
Jocelin Ta Bi earned rave reviews for his performances with the Ivory Coast U21s side over the summer, but is back in the building ready to make an impression this summer. Sunderland currently don't have another specialist right winger in the squad, these early weeks of pre season are a great opportunity for him to continue his adaptation but also demonstrate that he can have a big part to play on the pitch this season.
Academy players gain valuable experience
With Sunderland's World Cup cohort enjoying a much-deserved break at the end of the competition, these opening weeks of pre-season and Saturday's game against York City have been a big opportunity for the club's best academy talents to gain more exposure of the first-team environment.
Fresh from signing their first professional contracts at the club, players such as Felix Scott and Jack Whittaker have been involved with the senior group. Trey Ogunsuyi has also been training with the first team and with Sunderland's two senior strikers recovering from World Cup duty, he could have some involvement at York on Saturday. Ogunsuyi had two difficult loan spells last season, but it's worth remembering that first loans are always a tricky experience for players moving away from home for the first time and who are very rarely first choice in their position. He remains a very highly rated young striker worth watching this summer and beyond.
Returning loanees back in the fold for now
Leo Hjelde, Alan Browne and Jenson Seelt have all been pictured back working with the group and so as such, it seems fair to assume that they'll be involved at York and will possibly travel to the US with some players still recovering from the World Cup. All three are expected to move on again this summer, perhaps on a permanent basis, but it's testament to their attitude and professionalism that Le Bris knows they will maintain standards in training.
Seelt in particular showed at the start of last season that he has the ability to be a top-tier player, but competition means he might struggle to realise that potential on Wearside this season.
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