Sunderland began their pre season programme with a 2-0 win against South Shields at Mariners Park on Thursday evening, with goals from Ethan Robson and Luke O’Nien.
Afterwards, Jack Ross revealed that Elliot Embleton is set to sign a new deal with the club. Ross said: “Elliot will sign his contract early next week, that has all been agreed and drawn up. If we don’t get it done tomorrow, then the start of next week. I was really keen for him to stay at the club and I am glad he has committed. He should be giving himself an opportunity to be a player at Sunderland and you saw tonight he is a talented footballer. I see him now as a first team squad member. It is about players taking their opportunity. He has been good in pre-season. It is about kicking on from there.”
The manager also announced that he expects to sign a defender before the weekend. Ross said: “I am hopeful over the course of tomorrow we may add one in a defensive area. That will help us and strengthen us and bring in qualities that I have mentioned we were looking to identify. We have been patient and careful in our recruitment. Even the two we played tonight showed why they were signed. With Donald leaving it has allowed us to move forward on one as well.”
Sunderland first half: Burge, McLaughlin, Hackett, Loovens, Bainbridge, Robson, Kimpioka, McGeouch, Honeyman, Gooch, Wyke.
Sunderland second half: Patterson, Flanagan, Baldwin, Bainbridge (Hunter 63), O’Nien, Hume, Leadbitter, Embleton, Maguire, Watmore, Grigg.
Subs not used: Sammut, Diamond, Abdelkader.
