The state of play with every senior Sunderland player ahead of 2026/27 campaign as pre-season officially begins | OneFootball

Sunderland report for pre-season testing at the Academy of Light on Wednesday, with returns staggered by heavy World Cup involvement. Academy prospects Jenson Jones and Finn Geragusian are expected to step up early on.

According to Sunderland Echo, Robin Roefs is on a post-World Cup break and should rejoin for the US trip, with the expectation he stays as the established number one. Anthony Patterson will return and could feature in friendlies, though a permanent exit is expected if a fee of £8 to 10 million is met, while Melker Ellborg and Simon Moore report on Wednesday.

Trai Hume, Nordi Mukiele, Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien are due in on Wednesday, with Ballard expected to take a full part after ankle surgery. Omar Alderete will be monitored after a late knee issue, and Reinildo returns with left-back reinforcements required following Dennis Cirkin’s exit. Potential defensive departures include Timothée Pembélé and Jenson Seelt.

Habib Diarra should link up around the US trip after Senegal’s exit. Granit Xhaka is due in early August after Switzerland’s run, with Chelsea interest considered over. Chris Rigg is back from day one and a loan now appears unlikely, while Alan Browne is expected to depart.

Romaine Mundle targets a full pre-season amid contract uncertainty and interest from France and Belgium. Simon Adingra is on a break and could leave if a significant chunk of last summer’s fee is recouped, while Chemsdine Talbi remains at the World Cup and Nilson Angulo is due back later this month.

Source: Sunderland Echo