Abdoullah Ba made his first appearance of Sunderland’s pre-season campaign at Valley Parade on Tuesday evening. Ba had been recovering from a minor knock but has returned to full training in recent weeks.
As expected, Regis Le Bris made 11 changes to his starting XI from the 1-0 win over Blackpool with Leo Hjelde also passed fit to start. Hjelde missed out on the squad on Saturday due to a minor calf problem.
Elliot Embleton was named in the starting XI despite speculation linking him with a move to Blackpool. None of those who started at Bloomfield Road on Saturday have travelled with the group, with a bench made up of academy players named.
Luis Hemir was also been named on the bench. Pierre Ekwah remains absent with a back problem, having not featured since the opening game of the club’s pre-season camp in Spain.
Sunderland went 2-0 down in the first half to goals from Calum Kavanagh and Andy Cook. Romaine Mundle pulled one back for the visitors in the second stanza.
Here, we take a look at how Phil Smith rated Sunderland’s players against Bradford City:
1. Simon Moore
Little he could do about either goal, let down by those in front of him. Distribution improved from his debut in Spain, calm in the main. 6 Photo: Stu Forster
2. Timothee Pembele
Couldn’t clear his lines for Cook’s opener and couldn’t stop Bradford getting free down his flank for the second. Difficult night for the full back. 4 | Ian Horrocks
3. Joe Anderson
Asked to play out of position at full back and understandably struggled to make much of an impact going forward. Quieter than his impressive performances in Spain. 5 Photo: Ian Horrocks
4. Zak Johnson
One or two loose passes but generally composed on the ball and made some important defensive interventions. Can be pleased with his performance even if it was a tough night generally. 6 | Photo: National World