Sunderland defender Leo Hjelde is confident their pre-season tour of Alicante will stand the Black Cats in good stead when the Championship campaign starts on August 10.

The Norwegian defender was one of the standout performers from the Wearsiders’ two pre-season fixtures in Spain - a solid second half cameo against Nottingham Forest before an impressive display against CD Eldense.

“They were a tough opponent, very physical,” he told We Are Sunderland after the 2-1 win over the Spanish outfit. “They gave us some issues at times but obviously it's pre-season and it was a good run out. 

READ MORE: Régis Le Bris on Sunderland's training camp and staff update

“Pre-season has been good, quite tough I can't lie. A lot of running but I think it was good to get 20 minutes against Nottingham Forest and I felt like I played quite well. Then 70 minutes today so I'm pleased with myself and the team.”

The Black Cats defender had to battle with a physical Eldense forward line and although the Spanish side had the better of the opportunities, a wonder strike from Luis Hemir gave Sunderland the win.

“I think it's the best goal I've ever seen to be fair to him,” Hjelde said when asked about Hemir’s winner. “I was quite surprised when he scored it but he's fully deserved it.”

The Norwegian youth international has had an indifferent start to life at Sunderland since his move from Leeds United in January, he himself admits it probably wasn’t the right time for the move given injury problems, but it was one he couldn’t turn down.

“I felt at home straight away,” he revealed, “But I was carrying a lot of niggles when I first came. Maybe it wasn't the right time to come in January but I felt like I had to when a club like Sunderland came. I tried to do my best but let's reset for this season and see how we go.”

Arriving from Elland Road on a four-and-half-year deal, Hjelde was tasked with filling the void at left back last season, and although he’ll play anywhere to get on the pitch, he’s reiterated that centre-half is his preferred position. 

He said: “Right now I'll play anywhere but long term, centre-back is where I feel most comfortable. I enjoy playing left back but centre back is definitely more suited for my game.”

Hjelde has impressed in the heart of defence so far in pre-season and has lift the lid on a chat with Regis Le Bris which has acted as a springboard for his early displays.

“We went through last season and he's obviously went through everyone and all the games,” the 20-year-old revealed. “We had a chat about how I felt last season and what my goals and targets are this season. It was a great chat, got to know each other a bit more. 

“It's a new way of playing football but I think the lads are taking it in and trying to implement it as much as possible. It's pre-season so we're taking a few more risks than we would in the season.

“I think everyone is on board with the way he plays and there's some really good ideas. 

“We want to go man for man when the goalkeeper has it - at times - not all the time. Listen it's pre-season and we're trying to figure out when to go, so we're probably doing it a bit more than we would normally.

”I think the boys did really well [with the high press]. There was a couple of times they got out but it’s pre-season. Hopefully we'll work on it. At times in a normal game we'd maybe go long but we're trying to implement a way of playing and get out the other side, finding a spare man.

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“I think we're doing well, especially against Nottingham Forest. I think we did really well, stepping through the lines and stuff. It's still early in the season and there's still loads more work to do but it's good.

“You have to keep switched on all the time. It's not a way of football where you can relax all the time.

“There's lots of running, especially for a centre-back because you have to shift and follow the striker. It's fun because it’s a fight all the time.”