JACK COLBACK claims Sunderland will be out to avenge last season’s derby-day disappointments when they line up against Newcastle United in nine days time.

The Black Cats lost the Wear-Tyne derby at the Stadium of Light on the second weekend of last season and suffered more heartbreak when they conceded a stoppage- time equaliser to Shola Ameobi in the return fixture at St James’ Park in March.

Ameobi’s leveller came at the end of a game Sunderland had dominated for long periods, and prevented the Wearsiders claiming a first derby victory since 2008.

The memories still rankle, and will help provide inspiration when the regional rivals lock horns again a week on Sunday.

“The game at St James’ Park still stings a little bit,”

said Colback, who was involved in both of last season’s derby matches. “I’m not one for looking back, but it was really disappointing to concede so late on as we did that day.

“The break has given the derby game a big build up and that’s fine. It’s a game we are really looking forward to.

“We can’t wait for the derby.

I thought we should have won at least one of the derby matches last season.”

With the international break having created a twoweek gap in the fixture list, Colback has found himself taking part in a series of disrupted training sessions this week.

Sunderland have 12 players away on international duty, and with Newcastle boasting a similarly large international contingent, preparations will have to be squeezed into a four-day window at the end of next week.

“It’s unfortunate that we have another international break,” said Colback. “This is our third and it’s really made the season a bit stop-start. It doesn’t help with momentum.

“It’s difficult when there are only a few boys left behind for training when the rest are away on international duty.

There is usually just six or seven of us left behind.

“Normally the other guys get back a few days at most before the next game, which this time is the derby, so it is difficult but you get on with it.”