SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce last night saluted Hartlepool United stalwart Ritchie Humphreys after the Black Cats were announced as his testimonial opposition.

Bruce will take a full-strength side to Victoria Park on Tuesday, August 2 for Humphreys' benefit game.

The club captain signed for Pools in summer 2001 and, a decade on, has surpassed the club's all-time appearance record, chalking up 480 outings.

Bruce said: "Ritchie has been a fantastic servant for Hartlepool and to achieve what he has at one club in the modern game is absolutely terrific.

"He has set a great example to his fellow professionals and we are delighted to be able to honour his career by taking part in his testimonial.

"It promises to be a great evening and I'd urge as many fans as possible to come along and show their support."

Pools last met the Black Cats in an FA Cup tie on Wearside in 2004, a game which the home side won 1-0 thanks to Juilo Arca's strike.

And Humphreys said: "It's always nice to play against Premier League opposition in pre-season and it's even more special for myself with it being my testimonial game.

"Playing at the Stadium of Light in the FA Cup is one of my best memories as a footballer.

"In recent seasons we have played top-flight sides in the FA and League Cups and it's great to test yourself against the best.

"Playing Sunderland the week before the season starts could be a really good thing for us, we start on the Saturday and, for them, it's the week after.

"It will be a good test for both sides.''

And Humphreys believes the game will be of benefit to the Pools squad.

"For the younger players in our squad coming through and in and around the first team, it can be a good thing for their development,'' he admitted.

"They can use Sunderland as an example of where they can end up as footballers - look at the likes of Lee Cattermole and Jordan Henderson who are both young players from the North-East who are well established in the Premier League.

"We have a good, competitive pre-season lined up and this game caps it all off.

"I want to say a very big thank you to Steve Bruce and to Sunderland for agreeing to play in my testimonial. It means a great deal to me and I can't wait for the game to come."

n Tickets will be priced at £10 for adults and £5 for concessions (Under 16s and Over 60s) and can be purchased in advance from the Victoria Park ticket office. Tickets will also be available on the turnstiles on match day.

Ticket information for Sunderland fans will follow in due course.

The main testimonial dinner is on Saturday, July 16 when fans can join Ritchie and his team-mates from past and present for a night of football, music from the West End and some very special guests, including Sky Sports presenter and Pools fan Jeff Stelling.

Tickets for the dinner, costing £25 and including a three-course meal, are available from Samantha Lee - slee@pulbicityseekers.co.uk - or Nick Loughlin - nick.loughlin@nne.co.uk