Régis Le Bris's Sunderland squad to face York City in opening pre-season friendly predicted | OneFootball

Sunderland begin 2026/27 on Saturday afternoon at York City’s LNER Community Stadium, with Régis Le Bris’s probable squad for the opening pre-season friendly taking shape.

According to Sunderland Echo, it is a busy day, with an academy side also facing South Shields, and many youngsters stepping up after a fortnight’s training amid the absence of 12 FIFA World Cup players.

It has been confirmed that Thomas Meunier will not make his debut after joining as the first summer signing earlier this week. The full back is taking a break following his World Cup commitments. How Le Bris manages minutes remains unclear.

Goalkeeper Melker Ellborg is likely to start while Robin Roefs is due back later this month. It is a chance to build on a solid opening to his Sunderland career when Roefs was briefly injured earlier this year. Trai Hume finished last season on the right wing and could appear there again, although with Omar Alderete on a post-World Cup break he might instead be used in his more natural defensive role on Saturday and in the US.

Dan Ballard had ankle surgery after last season’s red card at Wolves and, having worked with the group in early pre-season, could feature on Saturday. Nordi Mukiele has been back on Wearside for the last fortnight and should be ready to play a key role. Le Bris prefers him at right back, although Alderete’s absence might see him start in central defence.

Source: Sunderland Echo