Sunderland are back in action at the LNER Community Stadium on Saturday

Sunderland begin their 2026/27 campaign with their first pre-season friendly at York City on Saturday afternoon.

Régis Le Bris will field a different side in each half, with a more experienced XI beginning the game before a side made up predominantly of academy players takes on the second. The vast majority of those who have reported back for pre-season training are involved in the matchday squad, with defender Aji Alese fit to feature in the second half despite his recent injuries.

The only players not involved are Dan Ballard and Romaine Mundle, having had surgery on respective ankle and hamstring injuries earlier this year. Both have been playing a part in training in the early stages of pre season and so are well on the way to recovery, but this game has come just too soon for them to feature.

Goalkeeper Anthony Patterson is not involved in the matchday squad with his long-term future at the club uncertain. All 12 of the club’s World Cup representatives are not involved having been given extra time off after the tournament.

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First half XI: Ellborg; Hume, Mukiele, O’Nien, Reinildo; Browne, Rigg; Le Fee; Ta Bi, Tutierov, Ogunsuyi

Second half XI: Moore; Jenson Jones, Seelt, Hjelde, Alese; Proctor, Whittaker, Jaydon Jones; Scott, Dinsdale, Geragusian

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