Sunderland's Lynden Gooch delivers Al Shabab friendly verdict in Dubai

Sunderland play the Saudi Arabian side today in a mid-season friendly as the Championship breaks for the World Cup, with Gooch hoping to use the match to build fitness following an injury.

“It’s been good on a personal note to be back training with the team,” he told safc com. “I was out for five weeks so I’ve been trying to get back into the swing of things and get fit.

“I feel fit and it is all about getting touches on the ball. Just to get that rustiness away and get ready for next week when we get home.

“Get some minutes into the legs, which is obviously ideal for myself and everyone else who has had a week off. It’s going to be tough in this heat but it will be good in the long run for us.”