The story of the evening as Sunderland's youngsters play out draw with League Two side Tranmere Rovers
and live on Freeview channel 276
Lee Johnson will no doubt be hoping for a repeat of the performance at Harrogate Town, where the Black Cats were mightily impressive in their 4-0 win.
But with a number of changes expected, it could be a more difficult proposition against a side expected to battle for promotion from the fourth tier.
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Hide AdBailey Wright is set to return for Sunderland despite being linked with a move to rivals Wigan Athletic, while Will Grigg is also in-line for a start at Prenton Park.
Elsewhere, there could be opportunities for a number of the club’s youngsters to shine ahead of the League One opener on August 7.
Josh Hawkes, Oliver Younger and Sam Wilding are among those young players who could feature.
Our team of Phil Smith and Mark Donnelly will be bringing you all the latest from the game, with team news, action, analysis and more throughout the evening.
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FT: Tranmere Rovers 0-0 Sunderland AFC
Key Events
- Sunderland head to Tranmere Rovers in their fifth pre-season friendly.
- The Black Cats will be looking to build on their 4-0 win over Harrogate Town on Saturday.
- Lee Johnson is set to rotate his squad - with Bailey Wright in-line to return.
- Sunderland XI: Patterson; Richardson, Younger, Wright, Dyce; Neil, Wilding, O’Brien; Grigg, Diamond, Taylor
Here we go...
The teams are out at Prenton Park, and we’re ready for kick-off!
It’s great to see such a big crowd inside Prenton Park, and a vocal away following too.
Bailey Wright is captaining Sunderland this evening - the fifth player to wear the armband this summer!
1 - Aaaaaaand we’re off!
Tranmere get the ball rolling at Prenton Park.
The Black Cats are again in their new yellow away kit today.
3 - A cagey start so far
No real chances to report so far, although Sunderland have looked to get forward whenever possible with Will Grigg doing plenty of running.
As expected, Sunderland are starting in a 4-2-3-1.
Diamond is on the left, Taylor on the right, and O’Brien just behind Grigg.
6 - YELLOW CARD
Davies is in the book for Tranmere after a veeeeeery late tackle on O’Brien.
The Sunderland man had knocked the ball past his man and was then chopped down just inside the home team’s half.
10 - Sunderland are growing into this
The Black Cats are beginning to dictate the play a little bit more, but chances are still proving elusive.
Sunderland did just win the first corner of the game but it came to nothing as Tranmere cleared their lines.
At the other end, Patterson had to be alert to come and clear the danger after a Dyce pass aimed at Younger was loose - but the stopper swept up well.
18 - CHANCE!
The first real opening of the game!
A great move from Sunderland as Wright finds Grigg who in turns sets Taylor away down the right.
He then threads in Richardson whose low cut-back finds O’Brien - but his shot is deflected wide.
Much better.
22 - Sunderland keep scrapping away
The Black Cats’ youngsters are holding up well to the physical challenge posed by Tranmere - but those moments of quality in the final third haven’t been there just yet.
Will Grigg has showed plenty of endeavour but is receiving limited support.
25 - CHANCE!
The best chance of the game so far!
Neil dinks a lovely ball over the top for O’Brien, who breaks into the area and holds up play well.
He then tees-up Neil who has surged forward, and youngster connects with a powerful shot from 25 yards.
It’s a well-struck effort, but Murphy does well to get down and parry the shot.
31 - What a tackle!
Great defending from Aiden O’Brien!
Tranmere enjoy a rare foray forward and a ball is only cleared as far as Spearing on the edge of the area.
As the midfielder looks to get his feet right to strike the ball, O’Brien nips in and pinches possession to thwart what looked to be a promising opportunity.