Sunderland will begin their preparations for the 2023-24 Championship campaign with a pre-season friendly against National League North outfit South Shields on Saturday afternoon.
The Black Cats lost to Luton Town in the semi-finals of the Championship playoffs last season, while South Shields secured promotion to National League North by winning the Northern Premier League.
Match preview
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South Shields proved themselves to be the best team in the Northern Premier League last season, picking up 85 points from their 42 matches to finish at the top of the division and earn promotion.
The Mariners will therefore compete in the National League North last season, and they have already boosted their squad this summer with the signings of Luke James, John Lufundu and Paul Blackett.
South Shields are due to begin their 2023-24 campaign at home to Alfreton Town on August 5, but they have a busy run of games before then, facing Hebburn Town, Shildon, Whitby Town and Harrogate Town in upcoming friendlies, with the team preparing to step up a level next term.
The sixth-tier outfit are actually managed by former Premier League player Julio Arca, who turned out for Sunderland and Middlesbrough in England's top flight before finishing his career at South Shields.
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Sunderland, meanwhile, enjoyed an impressive 2022-23 campaign, finishing sixth in the Championship table, picking up 69 points from their 46 matches, which saw them qualify for the playoffs.
The Black Cats were unable to progress past Luton in the semi-finals, though, suffering a 3-2 aggregate defeat, so they will again complete in the second tier of English football next term.
Tony Mowbray's side have made four signings during the summer market, bringing in Jenson Seelt, Jobe Bellingham, Nectarios Triantis and Luis Semedo.
Sunderland will begin their Championship campaign at home to Ipswich Town on August 6, but they will play plenty of football before then, with seven friendlies in the diary.
The Black Cats will follow this game with a clash against Gateshead, while they will also face San Antonio, New Mexico United, North Carolina, Mallorca and Hartlepool United during pre-season.
Team News
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South Shields have made three signings during the summer market, bringing in James, Lufundu and Blackett, and the trio could be named in the starting XI for this contest.
There will be plenty more changes in the squad over the summer, and head coach Arca will want to assess his players during pre-season before making a final decision on their involvement for the coming season.
James and Blackett should both feature in the final third of the field following their arrivals, while Lufudu is expected to start at right-back on Saturday.
Sunderland, meanwhile, could have four debutants on display in this match, with Bellingham expected to feature after making the move to the Stadium of Light from Birmingham.
Seelt, Triantis and Semedo should also be involved for the club for the first time, while there will be familiar faces in the shape of Jack Clarke and Anthony Patterson.
Black Cats head coach Mowbray will make full use of his squad for this match, with a number of youngsters also set to be given opportunities to impress on Saturday afternoon.
South Shields possible starting lineup:
Boney; Lufudu, Liddle, Broadbent, Adams; Newton, Woods, Briggs; Blackett, James, Hodgson
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Patterson; Roberts, Seelt, O'Nien, Gooch; Bellingham, Neil, Ekwah, Clarke; Pritchard; Semedo
We say: South Shields 0-3 Sunderland
This will be a valuable test for South Shields as they prepare to step up a level in the coming season, but we are finding it difficult to back them to avoid defeat. Sunderland will have superior quality across the pitch and should be able to open their preparations for the 2023-24 campaign with a win.
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