Sunderland reveal first pre-season friendly to be against Spennymoor

Sunderland have revealed their first pre-season opponents.

The Black Cats will face Spennymoor Town in their first pre-season fixture, as preparations for the 2021-22 season under Lee Johnson begin, it was announced on the club’s social media accounts.

The clash will see Sunderland travel to the Brewery Field to face the National League North outfit on Saturday,

July 3 at 3pm.

Indeed, Spennymoor Town has opened its doors to the Austrian national team ahead of their international friendly with England at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium last night ahead of Euro 2020 this summer.

Sunderland have also stated that further details regarding pre-season friendlies will be released in due course.

It is understood that the

Black Cats may face Ross County this summer owing to a contractual clause in the deal to bring striker Ross Stewart to the Stadium of Light back in January.

Meanwhile, Sunderland were the only club to hand Sol Campbell an interview following 16 applications from the former England star to various outfits.

That’s according to the Daily Mail.

The Black Cats interviewed the former Tottenham, Arsenal and Newcastle United defender when Phil Parkinson was sacked last November.

But Campbell’s application was ultimately unsuccessful as the Wearside club turned to Lee Johnson following rumours of a Guy Poyet return.

Campbell, 46, has managed Macclesfield Town and

Southend United since hanging up his boots.

He claims, however, to experiencing difficulties landing roles at bigger clubs – and only Sunderland have considered him over the past decade.

Campbell moved on from Macclesfield to spend the 2019-20 season with Southend in League One.

But Campbell suffered relegation to League Two with the Shrimpers and has been out of work since leaving the club in June 2020.

Campbell now says that he is looking for a return to football management.

*Sunderland, Portsmouth and Ipswich Town target Guy Melamed – who has been likened to Dennis Bergkamp – will leave Scottish club St Johnstone at the end of his contract and will be available on a free this summer.