The Sunderland players you can expect to see in action tomorrow & the youngsters set for a huge opportunity
By Phil Smith
Published 2nd Jul 2021, 12:30 BST
Updated 2nd Jul 2021, 12:42 BST
Sunderland’s pre-season campaign begins in earnest on Saturday when the team travel to Spennymoor for a training friendly.
Lee Johnson welcomed a threadbare squad back to the Academy of Light on Monday, but was given a considerable boost on Wednesday when Aiden McGeady put pen to paper on a new one-year deal.
Having trained with his team-mates in the latter half of this week, the winger could be involved as the Black Cats step up their preparations for a new League One campaign.
As it stands, Sunderland are still yet to reach agreements on the futures of Luke O’Nien, Denver Hume and Charlie Wyke.
Wyke is expected to leave in search of a new opportunity, while there remains hope at this stage that O’Nien and Hume can be convinced that their future is best served by remaining on Wearside.
Either way, none of that trio will be involved on Saturday and that leaves Johnson with a small group of senior professionals for the training exercise.
However, the absence of summer signings so far means there is significant opportunity for a cohort of young players who have stepped up to join the senior group this week.
Anthony Patterson, Ellis Taylor, Ollie Younger, Dan Neil and Josh Hawkes are all being given the opportunity to show they can play a part in Johnson’s group this season, while a number of other U23s are currently stepping up to strengthen the numbers.
Here’s who you can expect to see in action as the 2021/22 campaign gets off to a low-key start.
As it stands, Sunderland are still yet to reach agreements on the futures of Luke O’Nien, Denver Hume and Charlie Wyke.
13. IN THE SQUAD - ANTHONY PATTERSON
Patterson has been promoted to the senior group at the start of pre-season and is set for numerous chances to impress.
A loan later in the window remains a possibility but at this stage he is expected to challenge Burge. Photo: FRANK REID 2020
Hawkes has been linked with a move away this summer but Sunderland are determined to promote him, believing a summer of physical maturation is key to him taking the next step. Those early pre-season fixtures will be crucial in proving he is ready to step up, perhaps more so than for any other player.
A youngster supporters will be keeping a close eye on, both on Saturday and beyond. Photo: FRANK REID 2020
O'Brien had a mixed first season on Wearside.
Through the unbeaten run earlier this year, he was a crucial foil for Wyke and part of a team that looked like it could push for automatic promotion.
He lost his place, though, and was very much on the periphery towards the end of the season.
His application and physicality can be a weapon, but he will know the onus is on him to improve his goal return if he is to have a crucial role next season. Photo: FRANK REID 2019
Wilding has trained with the senior group this week, fresh from signing a new one-year alongside striker Will Harris and midfielder Vinnie Steels.
Wilding could feature on Saturday due to his versatility, capable of playing at right-back, centre-back and defensive midfield. Photo: Getty Images