The key Cats questions that are to be answered in coming weeks
Sunderland’s first-team squad are set to begin preseason training in the near future – but there remains a number of unanswered questions ahead of the return to the Academy of Light.
While Lee Johnson will soon begin work on the training field, there are several issues that remain unresolved.
So what questions will we likely see answered before pre-season kicks-off? We take a look:
SQUAD COMPOSITION:
GiventhisisgoingtobeatransformativesummerforSunderland,itwasalwaysunlikelythat thefullfirst-teamsquadwould be assembled by the time preseason began.
While that is always the ideal scenario, various factors mean that is not going to be the case for the vast majority ofclubsthissummer.Butcould we see some form of a breakthrough in the market before pre-season training resumes?
HeadcoachJohnsonwould no doubt be keen to work with as many of his new recruits as quickly as possible – but Sunderland’srecruitmentteamare prepared to be patient in their pursuit of top targets.
And while the focus has largely been on incomings this summer,therecouldyetbefurther outgoings from the Academy of Light too.
There is, of course, the uncertainty over the futures of Aiden McGeady, Charlie Wyke, Luke O’Nien and Denver Hume. The club would no doubt like clarity on that quartet
before pre-season begins.
Elsewhere, it has already been suggested that George Dobson could be released from his contract while plenty ofeyeswillbeonWillGriggtoo.
THE YOUNGSTERS: With Sunderland’s squad still being assembled, pre-season will alsogiveanumberofyoungsters the ability to stake a claim.
But which of the club’s Under-23 cohort will be handed
the chance to impress in the first-team fold?
ThelikesofAnthonyPatterson,DanNeil,JoshHawkesand Oliver Younger are all set to be involved in the early weeks of pre-season – but others could follow suit.
Kenton Richardson impressed towards the end of the 2020/21 Premier League 2 campaign and could slot in at full-back, a position where
Sunderlandcurrentlylackany real depth.
Benji Kimpioka will also be hopeful of a chance after spending time on loan at Torquay United, while youngsters Ellis Taylor and Patrick Almond could also be given opportunities.
PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE:Sunderlandhavethusfar confirmedjusttwopre-season friendlies - with trips to Spennymoor
Town and York City.
And we could see some further friendly fixtures announced ahead of the squad’s return to training.
Fans will no doubt be monitoring such games closely, in the hopes they will be able to attend fixtures as the League One season draws nearer.
INJURIES:Whiletherewill inevitablybeanumberofinterestingnarrativestopre-season, one particular strand worth watching is the anticipated return of Arbenit Xhemajli.
It was initially hoped that theKosovandefenderwouldbe able to return to training during the early weeks of pre-season–andwewillsoondiscover whetherthatisindeedthecase.
After his first season on Wearside was curtailed through injury, he will be one to watch if all goes to plan.