Sunderland’s 2026/27 campaign officially begins on Saturday afternoon as the Black Cats face York City in their opening pre-season friendly at the LNER Community Stadium.
It’s a busy day for the Black Cats, with an academy side also facing South Shields earlier in the day. Many of the club’s best young players will be with Régis Le Bris’s group, having stepped up in training over the last fortnight the absence of the twelve players who represented their nation at the FIFA World Cup.
It has already been confirmed that Thomas Meunier will not be making his debut having become the club’s first summer signing earlier this week, with the full back taking a break following his World Cup commitments. So who can supporters expect to see in action on Saturday afternoon? While it’s not clear exactly how Le Bris will manage his group over the 90 minutes we have a good idea who is likely to be involved, so here’s our predicted squad...
13. Sub - Jenson Jones
Versatile full back has trained regularly with the senior group over the last year and will almost certainly get more minutes as a second-half sub here. | Sunderland's Jenson Jones - Photo by Ben Cuthbertson
14. Sub - Jenson Seelt
Has had a solid early pre-season as he builds his match fitness and should get more minutes here. Might replace Ballard at half time if Sunderland are cautious with their centre back early in his return from surgery. | Getty Images
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15. Sub - Leo Hjelde
Sunderland might look to increase Luke O'Nien's game time here but Hjelde will replace him at some stage in the second half to get minutes under his belt. | Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
16. Sub - Archie Lightfoot
Reinildo is another who might play an hour in this game, with the young left back then replacing him. Great experience having signed his first pro deal recently. | Sunderland AFC