A PLACE in the Sunderland starting eleven for their season opening game against Coventry City on Sunday is still 'up for grabs' for his players according to the manager Alex Neil.

With one more friendly to play later this evening against Hartlepool United, Neil continues to make wholesale changes to his side in order to give them the best physical preparation for the season ahead.

Sunderland are still looking to add numbers to their squad with a striker remaining high on their priority list ahead of the season. Tottenham Hotspur striker Troy Parrott remains a target while the club have held talks with Everton to re-sign forward Nathan Broadhead.

As for his current crop of players, the door is not closed on anyone to make a start on the opening day and Neil has challenged them to force their way into the reckoning.

“I think there is always places up for grabs" said Neil. "Naturally, you go into any game, you pick a team to win the game and hopefully everybody performs well but people show that they are not performing or they don’t look in a good mental space in terms of what they are going to deliver for the next game.

“Naturally, that comes into question whether they are going to start or not. I think every game is an opportunity for a player to show what they can do and try put myself at the forefront of my mind for the first one."

Neil made nine changes for their friendly defeat to Accrington Stanley at the weekend. It finished 2-1 at the Wham Stadium after they conceded from a Sean McConville penalty and a Korede Odedoyin finish. They led through Ross Stewart's first half penalty.

The Black Cats have one more friendly as they make the short trip down the A19 to the Suit Direct Stadium.

Pools' season also gets underway in League Two under new manager Paul Hartley this weekend when they make the trip to Walsall.