Sunderland pre-season takeaways as Ballard and Mundle return and youngsters stake claims | OneFootball

Sunderland are back in pre-season with a first friendly at York City on Saturday, and openings for youngsters have emerged.

According to Sunderland Echo, Dan Ballard and Romaine Mundle have been pictured with the group, handing Le Bris a lift.

Mundle was managed after a hamstring issue late last season and now has a chance to impress while Chemsdine Talbi and Nilson Angulo recover from World Cup duty. With two years left on his deal and strong competition, he may yet depart later this summer, but having him fit helps all parties.

Ballard’s red card against Wolves allowed earlier ankle surgery, which appears to have gone well, ahead of a campaign in which he will be central to Le Bris’s plans.

Jocelin Ta Bi, praised for Ivory Coast U21s displays, is back and could benefit as Sunderland currently lack another specialist right winger. These early weeks offer adaptation time and a platform to show he can play a big part.

With World Cup players on a break, academy prospects have stepped in. New pros Felix Scott, Jack Whittaker and Trey Ogunsuyi have worked with the seniors, and Ogunsuyi could feature at York with two senior strikers still returning. Striker Finn Geragusian has also rejoined after last season’s injury.

Returning loanees Leo Hjelde, Alan Browne and Jenson Seelt have rejoined training, so involvement at York and possibly the US trip could follow. All three are expected to move on this summer, perhaps permanently, and Seelt may still find minutes limited.

Source: Sunderland Echo