When Sunderland will start their 2020/21 season with Phil Parkinson's side set to play more friendlies after Gateshead win

The Black Cats will host Hull City in the opening round of the Carabao Cup on Saturday, September 5 (3pm kick-off), a week before the start of their League One campaign.

There were some suggestions the first-round Carabao Cup fixtures could be brought forward due to international matches which will take place on the same weekend.

Yet the Black Cats still have two weeks to prepare for what will be their first competitive match for nearly six months.

Sunderland beat Gateshead 3-1 in a pre-season friendly on Saturday and will now face League Two outfit Carlisle United at the Academy of Light on Tuesday.

The Wearsiders will also play a warm-up match against Harrogate Town next Saturday before their meeting with Hull.

Sunderland’s first League One fixture is a home game against Bristol Rovers on Saturday, September 12.

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