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

Sunderland’s 2026/27 campaign begins on Saturday afternoon when the Black Cats visit York City for their first pre-season run-out at the LNER Community Stadium. With 12 World Cup players still away, youngsters who have stepped up over the last fortnight are likely to feature for Régis Le Bris’s group.

According to Sunderland Echo, an academy side also face South Shields earlier in the day. New signing Thomas Meunier will not debut after joining this week. The full back is on a post-World Cup break.

Goalkeeper Melker Ellborg is likely to start while Robin Roefs returns later this month following his World Cup duty. It is a chance for Ellborg to build on the promise he showed when Roefs was briefly injured earlier this year.

Trai Hume ended last season on the right wing and could appear there again as Sunderland work to add depth in that area. He might also be used in his more natural defensive role on Saturday and during the US leg.

Dan Ballard’s controversial red card at Wolves allowed earlier-than-planned ankle surgery and he has trained with the group in the opening stages of pre-season. That could bring minutes at York, which would be a timely boost.

Nordi Mukiele has been back on Wearside for the past fortnight and should be ready to play. Le Bris prefers him at right back, but Omar Alderete’s absence might see him start at centre back initially.

Source: Sunderland Echo