Assistant head coach Martin Canning says Sunderland's first two friendlies mark a staging post in the Black Cats' pre-season programme. Sunderland reported back on June 22, and after a week-and-a-half of fitness work they played low-profile, behind-closed-doors, games against Gateshead and Blyth Spartans at the Academy of Light today.
The games gave head coach Alex Neil the opportunity to give all members of his squad a run-out, including members of the U21 side, as they begin to develop match fitness. Canning, Neil's number two, said: "The boys have come in, they've been great and they have worked really hard, but you have to get game fitness as well.
"Having two games in one day is an opportunity to get the whole squad some minutes in their legs. It's great for the young kids to play with the senior players.
