Sunderland coach gives his verdict after first two pre-season friendlies

Assistant head coach Martin Canning says Sunderland's first two friendlies mark a staging post in the Black Cats' pre-season programme. Sunderland reported back on June 22, and after a week-and-a-half of fitness work they played low-profile, behind-closed-doors, games against Gateshead and Blyth Spartans at the Academy of Light today.

The games gave head coach Alex Neil the opportunity to give all members of his squad a run-out, including members of the U21 side, as they begin to develop match fitness. Canning, Neil's number two, said: "The boys have come in, they've been great and they have worked really hard, but you have to get game fitness as well.

"Having two games in one day is an opportunity to get the whole squad some minutes in their legs. It's great for the young kids to play with the senior players.

"There's obviously more to the game and when you play with senior players they keep you right and you learn. It's great for the older boys as well to pass that experience on, so it benefits everyone.

"There has been a lot of running, but a lot of the hard work is done with the ball as well. They've had plenty of touches and the next progression now are the games, we've had two today and then we step it up and look forward to the season."

Sunderland head out for a training camp in Portugal this week, with the Black Cats set to play Scottish giants Rangers in Albufeira next Saturday evening, with a second friendly to follow although details of that game have yet to be confirmed. Canning said: "The trip to Portugal now gives the opportunity for two more games, some warm weather training, and everything is geared towards the first game and getting ready for that."