The players will undergo the usual fitness testing, before stepping up their football work ahead of the first behind-closed-doors friendlies at the Academy of Light a week on Saturday. Sunderland will face Blyth Spartans and Gateshead before then heading out to Portugal.
Head coach Alex Neil has a relatively strong core of senior players to work with, but as it stands there are some clear gaps.
The Black Cats are yet to recruit any new players, and are still in talks over new deals for some of last season's squad.
As such, there may well be some opportunities for some of the club's best academy talent to step in and aid the transition process as Neil's squad for the campaign comes together.
So who might well get the chance?
We run through some of the likeliest candidates.
The Black Cats are yet to recruit any new players, and are still in talks over new deals for some of last season's squad.
5. ELLIS TAYLOR
Taylor has a superb pre-season last time out, making a major impression and pushing himself firmly into the first-team reckoning. His form dipped a touch after that demanding initial schedule, and there were also some injury issues along the way. But he finished the season back fully fit and performing strongly for the U23s, which could now give him a proper opportunity to impress Neil. Time is on his side and he has a lot of quality. Photo: COPYRIGHT (C) FRANK REID 20187
6. ETHAN KACHOSA
Kachosa signed from Leeds United last summer and has a blistering turn of pace. He is comfortable in any position down the flanks, particularly on the right side where he is strongest. Neil does have options there but while Lynden Gooch and Patrick Roberts weigh up their futures, they are relatively threadbare. On the other flank, Nathan Newall offers similar versatility. Photo: Frank Reid
7. CAMERON JESSUP
Signed from Crystal Palace, Jessup is a centre half who has plenty of pace and is comfortable in possession. With Bailey Wright still to agree a new deal and likely resting after international duty, Neil is likely to need some defenders to step up in the early stages of training. Photo: Frank Reid
8. JACK DIAMOND
This presents both an opportunity and a challenge for Diamond. He signed a new long-term deal in 2021 and went on to have a solid pre-season campaign, but with Leon Dajaku's arrival Sunderland decided that it was best to protect his development by seeking a second loan at Harrogate Town. That proved to be a major success, with the winger producing a strong return in terms of both goals and assists. Sunderland will look to recruit in the wide areas, but as it stands Patrick Roberts is yet to agree a new deal, Lynden Gooch likewise, and it is not clear whether or not Jack Clarke will return from Tottenham Hotspur. There is also interest in AFC Wimbledon's Jack Rudoni, a midfielder who has played regularly off the flanks. So the 22-year-old Diamond is perhaps producing something of a crossroads in his Sunderland career, and this is a big chance to prove to Neil that he should stay with the senior group and feature regularly. Photo: FRANK REID 2022