Andy Welsh is relishing the challenges that lie ahead for Sunderland under-23s following their return to Wearside.
Having had time to reflect on the development teams four-day training camp in Marbella, Welsh’s side have stepped up their preparations ahead of the Premier League 2 campaign.
With their penultimate pre-season friendly this Saturday at Leeds United, Welsh told safc.com training has gone well over the last few weeks and now he is keen for the season to get underway.
“We have got a good mix of some senior players and younger players and now they have got to come together,” he said.
“We have got to settle things down, play the games we have got coming up and then we will see what develops.
“The start of the season isn’t far away and we are all looking forward to that opening game against Chelsea,” he continued.
“Our trip to Spain was very beneficial and the lads will gain a lot from all the hard work they put in.”
“We know it’s going to be a tough season because we have got a young group but we need to keep working hard and looking to develop the players in the right way.”
