SUNDERLAND’S packed pre-season schedule continues this weekend with some more long distance travelling as they head north of the border to face Dundee United in their latest pre-season friendly.

Having landed back in the UK after a week long training camp in Portugal, Alex Neil will take his side to Tannadice Park as they continue to step up their preparations for the Championship season.

Away from the training field, the Black Cats can afford to be happy with their business so far having signed defender Daniel Ballard from Arsenal on a three-year contract whilst completing a deal for the permanent return of Jack Clarke after the winger spent the second half of last season on loan.

Friendly games against Rangers and Roma were played out in Albufeira and whilst their game against the Europa League finalists was bizarrely cut short after a power cut, the playing squad managed to get important game time ahead of the season. However, an injury to Ross Stewart prevented him from featuring against Jose Mourinho’s side which has highlighted some gaping holes to fill in the attacking department. Leon Dajaku started as their central striker for their 2-0 defeat.

Naturally, the manager has felt his side have reaped the benefits of some warm weather training.

“It’s been good” said Neil. “Naturally we had frustration in that first game but we’ve had a bit of everything.

“We’ve trained really hard, the boys have had two really good games and playing with different systems which is good as well for us to get some good messages across. It doesn’t stop. We’ve got a crammed schedule but equally we’ve got a lot of players to get important minutes and details into so we can build ourselves up for the rest of the season.”

Sunderland’s search for a new striker continues having held initial talks over a move for Spurs frontman Troy Parrott. However, the Republic of Ireland international is currently out in South Korea with Antonio Conte’s side for their own pre-season tour where management are running the rule over the 20-year-old.

Meanwhile, the Portugal trip has allowed their latest recruits to bed into the group ahead of the season according to winger Lynden Gooch. “It’s been class” he said.

“I think Jack (Clarke) coming back and Dan Ballard signing, it gave them the chance to know the lads really well but it’s nice to have the group back together which is what we wanted so it’s been a really good week.”

The Black Cats will come up against some familiar faces this weekend when they head to Tannadice Park.

Former boss Jack Ross, who guided the club to the League One play-off final in 2019, is now in the dugout with Dundee United.

Ross was appointed last month after spending the last two years with fellow Scottish Premier League side Hibernian, who have a former Sunderland manager in their dugout in Lee Johnson. He was relieved of his duties from the Stadium of Light earlier this year back in January allowing Alex Neil to step into the role.

Ex-Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher is also likely to come up against his old side this weekend after completing a free transfer earlier this summer.

Fresh from his release from Stoke City, the 35-year-old signed a one-year deal to return back to his native Scotland.

Fletcher spent four years on Wearside after making a reported £12 million switch from Wolves in 2012. He made 94 appearances for the club and scored 23 goals.

Following this weekend’s game, Sunderland will travel to Bradford City, Accrington Stanley and Hartlepool United before their season opening encounter against Coventry City on Sunday 31st July at the Stadium of Light.