We Are Sunderland editor Matty Hewitt is out in Alicante to cover Sunderland's pre-season tour, bringing you all the news from the warm weather training camp.
Régis Le Bris is into his third week as head coach of the Black Cats and is ramping up preparations for the 2024/25 Championship campaign.
Sunderland take on Premier League side Nottingham Forest on Friday night, before taking on Spanish second tier side Eldense on Sunday.
READ MORE: Why Sunderland face significant interest in key players
Here are some of the key talking points from our first day out in Spain:
Sunderland's headache at centre-half
In unwelcome news, Le Bris has a bit of a headache when it comes to options at centre-half. Dan Ballard has had surgery on his knee after picking up an injury during the 5-0 win over South Shields, ruling him out for six weeks of action.
Fellow centre-half Nectar Triantis is set to be out for a couple of weeks after picking up a knock in one of the early pre-season training sessions, while Jenson Seelt remains a long way off returning to action after surgery on an ACL injury. The Dutch defender is out in Spain with the first-team, but is on an individual programme as he continues his recovery.
On the flip side of the coin, the injuries to Ballard and Triantis will present Aji Alese and Leo Hjelde with an opportunity to stake their claim alongside Luke O'Nien for the start of the season. Fellow defender Joe Anderson is also a contender to start in the heart of defence, albeit he played at left-back in the friendly win over South Shields.
Alese will likely be the front runner to start the season alongside O'Nien, but he himself has had injury problems of his own. Hjelde started the win over South Shields at centre-half and has long claimed that as his best position.
The next couple of games against Forest and Eldense will give Le Bris an indication as to whether Sunderland need to go into the transfer market to bolster their options before the Championship curtain raiser.
Niall Huggins and Abdoullah Ba will both also miss the games this weekend.
Alan Browne sit down
Experienced and not afraid to say it how it is. Alan Browne cut an impressive figure as he spoke with us for the first time since signing a three-year deal with Sunderland.
The Republic of Ireland international lift the lid on how his move to the Black Cats came about, his ambitions for this season, his chats with Le Bris and his preferred midfield role.
Aside from the normal new club chat, it was clear from the very off, that Browne has a steely personality, which will hopefully stand Sunderland in good stead next season.
The Black Cats had a soft underbelly at times last season, and the arrival of Browne with over 400 games at Championship level, is an attempt to address that.
"I think a lot of players think you need to be playing every week and be the best player or the captain to be able to speak up and say something," he told We Are Sunderland.
"Since I’ve been young I’ve always thought, if I have something to say I’m going to say it. I don’t ever look at it as a bad thing.
"If someone has something to say to me, I’ve got to respect it, take it on board, I might not always agree with it but at the end of the day they’re trying to help you and you need to take that advice and use it whatever way you can. There’s a clear ambition from the club."
READ MORE: What Preston's Alan Browne will bring to Sunderland
Régis Le Bris already has eyes on Cardiff City
Having taken somewhat of a backseat role in his first week in charge, Le Bris has taken a much more hands on role since then.
Still getting used to his new surroundings, the French head coach has spent the last few weeks getting his ideas and methodology across to his players, the pre-season double header against South Shields and Gateshead the first real indication as to how well they've taken that on board.
While pre- season is largely about fitness and implementing new ideas, it was interesting to see Le Bris mention the Black Cats' Championship opener against Cardiff City in one of his training sessions.
"Cardiff have a strong defence, attract them," Le Bris can be heard saying on one of the club's videos from their pre-season camp. We saw in parts some of the patterns of play and philosophy he's trying to instil during the win over South Shields.
The partnership of Trai Hume and Patrick Roberts down the right-hand side was particularly impressive, as was the midfield trio of Dan Neil, Adil Aouchiche and Chris Rigg - albeit you have to take into account the level of opposition.
Preparations for the Championship opener are already well underway.
Simon Moore back in training with trialist joining tour
Sunderland summer signing Simon Moore sat out of the Black Cats pre-season double header against South Shields and Gateshead with a knock, but has travelled to Spain with group.
The experienced shot stopper is back in full training having recovered from that minor injury.
Trialist goalkeeper Blondy Nna Noukeu has also linked up with the Black Cats senior squad on their pre-season tour.
The former Stoke City shot stopper, who is now a free agent after his release from the Potters, started Sunderland's 5-0 win over South Shields and the Black Cats are continuing to monitor the Cameroonian.
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His inclusion on the pre-season tour suggests a deal is likely and Sunderland want more depth in their goalkeeping department. Upcoming talent Matty Young has been left out of the pre-season trip to Alicante, with a move to League Two side Salford City mooted in recent days.
The 17-year-old goalkeeper impressed during his loan spell with National League North side Darlington and a number of EFL and National League sides are keen on his services this summer.
The arrival of Noukeu would also open the door for highly rated youngster Adam Richardson, to depart on loan, having impressed with Sunderland U21s last season.
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