Youth team boss Kevin Ball is itching to get back into action tomorrow when the young Cats host Newcastle in an eagerly-awaited Tyne-Wear derby.

Sunderland triumphed 4-1 at Longbenton earlier in the season and will be easger to cement their place at the top of the table by making it a double tomorrow.

Ball's youngsters have had limited action since December due to the wintry weather, although they did take part in a practice game last Friday at the Academy of Light.

"It's been very stop-start for a number of weeks now, which is quite frustrating," Ball said.

"Our last league game would have been at Nottingham Forest, but we got an hour and a half down the road only for the game to be called off.

"That was one of the most frustrating weekends I've ever had because we had got ourselves up for the game and I know the players felt the same way.

"We had an in-house game last Friday; a mixed game with the reserves which served a purpose for the players. We had two 45-minute halves and the players worked very hard, which was good.

Ball has previously spoken of his close ties with United's youth coaching staff and he's looking forward to renewing acquaintances tomorrow.

Even with local pride at stake, Ball remains focused more on the manner of the performance as opposed to the final score.

"Newcastle asked us to move the game due to their FA Youth Cup commitments and we were more than happy to do so," he explained.

"Like I've always said, both teams want to win the derby. Yes, the result is important but it's nowhere near as important as how we get to that result.

"That, for me, is always going to be the overwhelming factor. We must take out where we've done well and what we need to work on.

"We're looking forward to it. We have a great relationship with Newcastle and we hope the players are committed to playing good football."