Michael Turner was delighted to be back in action as Sunderland went down 2-0 to Benfica in Portugal.

The defender played the full 90 minutes after returning from an injury and came through the game with no ill effects.

Now the former Hull man is hoping to push on and use the two remaining friendlies to catch up fitness-wise and ensure he's ready for the big kick-off on August 14.

"From a personal point of view, it was nice to get 90 minutes under my belt," he told SAFC TV.

"Pre-season is about trying to get yourself fit and I've gone a little way into getting myself fit.

"Not really, no. It's only a little bit of a thigh. I tweaked my thigh a little bit in training over here so it's best just to rest it so I'm pleased to get back in the team.

"They're a very good team - a top team in Europe and in the Champions League every year so they've got some world class players. It was a tough test out there."

- Log on to SAFC TV now for the full interview with Michael Turner.