The World Cup in Qatar is less than a week away with the majority of players now linking up with their country ahead of the tournament. For those left behind, the winter break will give them time to rest, recover and take on ideas from their respective head coaches - Tony Mowbray and Sunderland are no different as they look to kick on in the second-half of the Championship.
The Black Cats have a shorter break than others, scheduled to face Millwall at home on December, 3, a rearrangement of the game that fell on the weekend following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. They'll then host West Brom on December 12, and travel to Hull City on December 17.
Nonetheless, football's focus now shifts to Qatar where Black Cats duo, Bailey Wright and Jewison Bennette will pull on their nation's kit to battle it out for the biggest prize in football. Wright spoke of his honour after receiving his call-up to represent Australia, who have been handed a tough group, with current holders France, Tunisia and Costa Rica making up Group D.
