Sunderland return to action this week as Régis Le Bris takes his first games as new head coach.

Le Bris takes his second week in charge of Sunderland and will take to the dugout for the first time when Sunderland face a pre-season double-header against both South Shields and Gateshead on Saturday. 

Sunderland head to the 1st Cloud Arena where a select squad will face the National League North side before the rest of the squad head to the Gateshead International Stadium to face Rob Elliot's National League outfit later that day in a repeat of last season's pre-season opener. 

On that occasion, Sunderland defeated South Shields 4-3 before a 3-2 win over Gateshead under Tony Mowbray. 

Le Bris will be expected to mix up his two squads which will include a number of the club's academy players ahead of next week's trip to Spain where they will undergo a warm weather training camp before two friendlies at the Pinatar Arena against Nottingham Forest and Segunda Division side Eldense. 

Le Bris has already spent a full week with his new squad of players as he looks to implement his style and philosophy ahead of the new season where Sunderland kick-off their Championship campaign with a trip to Cardiff City.

 

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In the latest We Are Sunderland briefing, Matty Hewitt and Joe Ramage discuss Sunderland's start to pre-season and what we can expect as well as a look back at Le Bris' first week in charge and the latest backroom staff developments. 

There is also a look at some of Sunderland's transfer links and the need to add experience - would former Sheffield United midfielder Oliver Norwood be a good addition?

You can watch the latest briefing below or via our YouTube channel.

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