Eight things to watch out for as Cats step up pre-season plans
Sunderland have stepped up their pre-season preparations by flying out for a week-long training camp in Portugal.
Alex Neil' s side will face two challenging friendlies while in the Algarve, against Ranger son Saturday night and then Roma on Wednesday morning.
Having played behind closed doors last weekend, this will be the firstopportunity fans have had to take a closer look at their team since that famous Wembley win.
With that in mind, we've taken a look at some of the key themes likely to emerge over the course of the week…
DAN BALLARD'S DEBUT: Ballard knows he has a battle on his hands to break the Bailey Wright and Danny Batth partnership that ended last season in such outstanding form.
The positive for Ballard is that his early arrival means he has just about a full pre-season campaign to build on his successful loan at Millwall.
Described by his new head coach as 'mobile and aggressive', he has a great chance to make an early impression.
ROSS STEWART'S RETURN: Stewart was given an extended break after international, duty but returned to Wearside last week and is likely to be involved over the course of the two friendlies in Portugal.
Sunderland have a lot of transfer business to do, but there would arguably be no bigger boost for supporters than a new contract for one of the central players in last season's promotion.
HOW MIGHT SUNDERLAND SET UP THIS SEASON?: Neil admitted last season that he had deployed a back three in his short time at Sunderland more often than he had done in his entire managerial career previous.
It was mainly because of the lopsided squad he inherited, that was lacking natural fullbacks and also had a lot of new arrivals in attacking positions short on match fitness.
It felt notable, then, that as his options improved across the pitch he ended the campaign in what is to him a far more familiar 4-2-3-1 system.
With Patrick Roberts in particular fit and firing ahead of the new campaign, it looks a good bet.
Neil of course tinkers his game plan for each specific opponent,so we will no doubt see a number of different shapes and strategies over the course of pre-season.
HOW IS NIALL HUGGINS FARING?: Huggins made a very positive impression in his early appearances after joining from Leeds United, impressing in both full-back positions. Quick, tenacious and comfortable carrying the ball, he looked an exciting prospect.
Some serious injuries followed, which the player himself felt was probably a reflection of his disjointed preseason as he waited on a move.
Huggins had been aiming for a pre-season return earlier this year, and has flown out to Portugal with the group. However, it's still at this stage unclear just how big a part he can realistic ally be expected to play through the opening months of the season.
ARE ANY PLAYERS LIKELY TO MOVE POSITION?: Pre-season often sees players operating out of position and with a lot of recruitment work still to be done, it will be no different for Sunderland in Portugal.
Luke O'Nien, for example, may well drop into an occasional defensive role as Neil balances the workload of his senior options. All the same, it will be interesting to see if there is any hint of players making a more permanent switch.
Lynden Gooch and Carl Winchester both did well at right back last season, for example, but may be eager for a chance to impress in their more established positions.
CAN JACK DIAMOND MAKE HIS MARK?: Sunderland have another decision to make over Diamond this summer.
Harrogate Town made a move to bring him back to the club after a very successful loan last season, where he regularly produced goals and assists. Sunderland rejected that move, with the League Two side of the belief that the Black Cats will want as a minimum a League One switch for the upcoming campaign.
For now, though, Diamond is getting a valuable chance to impress Alex Neil as the club want to bring Jack Clarke back from Spurs.
IS DAN NEIL READY TO GO AGAIN?: Neil had, all things considered, an outstanding season last time out.
He made his senior breakthrough,returned to the youth international set up, and produced a significant number of goals and assists across the campaign.
When Alex Neil arrived he felt the youngster was one of a number of players at risk of burnout. When the team's form then began to improve, it made it almost impossible for the 20-year-old to fight his way back in. So it will be fascinating to see whether the immensely talented midfielder can force his way in after a chance to rest and refresh.
WHICH YOUNG PLAYERS HAVE MADE AN IMPRESSION ON ALEX NEIL?: Sunderland's squad for the new campaign is still very much coming together.
As such, there were opportunities for the bulk of the current U23 and U18 squads to impress the senior coaching staff over the last couple of weeks.
Though it will in part of course be decided by what positions Sunderland need additionalcover, the trip to Portugal will offer something of a reflection of who Neil thinks is closest to making the step up.
Harrison Sohna and Ellis Taylor both seem likely to play some part, and there will almost certainly be others.
* The Sunderland Echo's coverage of SAFC in Portugal is brought to you in association with Flex Joinery. Visit www.flexjoinery.co.uk for further details.