Sunderland to step up pre-season preparations with behind-closed-doors friendly at Gateshead

Sunderland will step up their preparations for the new season with a game against Gateshead on Saturday.

Published 19th Aug 2020, 11:02 BST

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The match will take place behind closed doors at the International Stadium and is set to kick off at 3pm.

Sunderland have said they will not be able to provide a stream ‘due to protocols put in place by the home club relating to COVID-19’. Gateshead have said they will provide a stream, priced at £5.

So far, the first-team squad have been limited to in-house games with the season set to kick off in just over a fortnight's time.

Sunderland will face Gateshead in a pre-season friendly on Saturday

Sunderland's first competitive fixture will be in the Carabao Cup against Hull City.

It's set to be played at the Stadium of Light on the weekend of September 5th/6th, subject to international call-ups.

Parkinson has already stated his desire to hold a home friendly before the beginning of the campaign.