The Sunderland first-team squad are heading out to Dubai this evening for a week of warm weather training.
The pause in the Sky Bet Championship fixture schedule during the World Cup has given the Lads ample opportunity to enhance preparations for the resumption of the league schedule. The Black Cats currently sit 15th in the table having beaten Birmingham City 2-1 last Friday.
Part of the week long training camp with include a friendly tie against Al-Shabab at the Jebel Ali Centre of Excellence before returning to the UK on the following Sunday.
Head coach Tony Mowbray said: “For me, it’s about the bonding and the ability to be together. To have breakfast, lunch, training and on an evening watch the World Cup matches together. There will be a benefit.
“Ally that to some pretty key footballers coming back to fitness, I would hope on the back of that we can reboot our season and win football matches on a regular basis.”
After the Sunderland squad return, attentions will turn to the following weekend when Millwall visit the Stadium of Light on Saturday 3rd December.