The story of the day as Sunderland's youthful squad draw at Spennymoor Town in pre-season opener

And welcome to our live blog!

Football is BACK for Sunderland AFC, who play their first game of the 2021/22 season at Spennymoor Town this afternoon.

Looking to bounce back from play-off disappointment this campaign, the Black Cats will no doubt be keen to start pre-season on a positive note against the National League North side.

Kick-off at the Brewery Field is 3pm, and we’re sure this is the only game people will be talking about today...

I’m Mark Donnelly and, along with Phil Smith, I’ll be bringing you the latest from the clash throughout the day...

KICK-OFF TIME

3pm

VENUE

The Brewery Field, Spennymoor

ARE THERE ANY TICKETS?

No. Tickets for the game were only available for Spennymoor Town season ticket holders and academy players.

Sunderland have confirmed that their pre-season friendly at Spennymoor Town will be played in three periods.

As opposed to a traditional match day structure, the Black Cats will take on the National League North side in three 30 minute intervals during the training game.

We’re expecting a number of personnel changes to be made at the end of each 30 minute period.

Sunderland will certainly be without Jordan Willis for the clash, while the game may also come too soon for Arbenit Xhemajli as he steps-up his injury return.

Aiden McGeady could feature after penning a new contract earlier this week, while Lee Johnson is also likely to call upon the services of some under-23 players for the trip to Spennymoor.

Our man Phil Smith has taken a look at the players who could be set for a big opportunity this afternoon:

Players potentially available for Sunderland AFC: Lee Burge, Anthony Patterson, Jacob Carney, Kenton Richardson, Bailey Wright, Tom Flanagan, Oliver Younger, Cieran Dunne, Sam Wilding, Tyrese Dyce, Patrick Almond, Carl Winchester, Dan Neil, Lynden Gooch, Elliot Embleton, Jack Diamond, Aiden McGeady, Aiden O’Brien, Ross Stewart, Will Grigg, Josh Hawkes, Stephen Wearne, Ellis Taylor

Manchester United goalkeeper Jacob Carney joined the Black Cats on a two-year deal on Friday - and could be involved today.

It’s understood that the stopper has been training with the club this week and could play some part at Spennymoor.

Carney is the club’s first senior signing of the summer, with sporting director Kristjaan Speakman confirming that the youngster will initially work alongside Lee Burge and Anthony Patterson.

Neither club will be providing a live stream for the clash – although Spennymoor have confirmed that audio commentary will be available on ‘Durham On Air’ radio.

Sunderland announced the additions of Tom Scott, Ethan Kachosa, Tyrese Dyce, Cameron Jessup, Nathan Newall and Harrison Sohna earlier this week.

And some of the six new signings may well be involved today given the Black Cats’ lack of numbers at present.

We should find out team news at around 2pm.

Will Grigg is also here today, as speculation over his future continues.

And here’s how Sunderland line-up at Spennymoor Town for the first 30 minute period: Burge, Gooch, Diamond, Winchester, Wright, Flanagan, Neil, Embleton, Grigg, Stewart, O’Brien

And on the bench: Patterson, Kachosa, Almond, Jessup, Dyce, Wilding, Wearne, Sohna, Taylor, Harris, Hawkes, Dunne, Newall, Scott

It looks to be a 4-3-3 for Sunderland, with Diamond and Gooch at full-back and a front three of Grigg, Stewart and O’Brien.

As expected, there’s no involvement for Charlie Wyke, Luke O’Nien and Denver Hume - all of whom are weighing-up their futures.

Aiden McGeady also isn’t involved after signing fresh terms earlier this week.