Sunderland are back in the Championship, and now that the fixtures have been released supporters will already have started picking out the key dates. The Black Cats' return to the second tier sees them face Coventry City at the Stadium of Light in a televised game at the end of July, and ends with an awayday at Preston North End in early May next year.
But aside from those bookend fixtures, there are crucial games - some obvious, some less so - that could have a big impact on the club's season. After four tilts at promotion from League One, next season is likely to have a very different feel with only the biggest optimists seriously expecting Sunderland to mount a challenge this term.
First and foremost, they have to establish themselves in the second tier and ensure there is no return to the dark days of League One. Our Sunderland AFC writer James Hunter takes a look at some of the games that could have a major bearing on the campaign.
