Head of academy sports science Scott Ainsley believes pre-season provides invaluable preparation for the rigorous schedule players will face in the year ahead.
Following a six-week summer break, the Black Cats' development team returned to training last Friday to begin their initial pre-season tests.
The results from the tests help form a base so coaches can determine the right training programme for each individual over the next few weeks, and Ainsley has revealed the key areas they will be working on.
“It’s down to us to put some challenges and demands on them to make sure they’re ready for the start of the season physically, tactically, technically and psychologically,” he said.
“We are looking to put a solid foundation down for the lads and then we can start to build match specific energy systems.”
He continued: “We will then build a tolerance to fatigue and create some adaptations so when matchday comes round at the start of the season the work that’s gone in, in these few weeks is brought out in performances on the field.”
Ainsley, who works closely with the under-21s squad, enjoyed an emphatic campaign last season as the Lads secured second place in the U21 Premier League.
However, since then various players have left the club while a handful have stepped up from the youth team which means it will be a new-look development team next term.
“The new lads are going to find it tough because they’re going to be training with players who are maybe three of four years older than them.
“That has implications because they have more of a training history and more experience operating at a higher level.”
