Phil Parkinson believes Jack Diamond and Elliot Embleton can be a real bonus for Sunderland going into the new season.
Diamond returned to Wearside this week after his successful loan spell with Harrogate Town came to an end.
The winger rounded his off his season-long loan in style by scoring in the National League play-off final, as Harrogate ran out 3-1 winners against Notts County to earn promotion to the EFL for the first time.
While Embleton looks to put an injury-hit season behind him and hit the ground running this term.
And speaking to SAFC Unfiltered, the club’s official podcast, Parkinson outlined the pair’s impact in pre-season so far.
“Another bonus for us as staff is that Jack Diamond has come back in this week and looked really good,” Parkinson said.
“Elliot Embleton has trained and each day he is looking better and better.
“So those two are kind of bonus players for us as well.”
He continued: “The lads have come back in great shape and I’m so pleased.
“The first 10 days of training have been good and we’re building them up steadily.
“During this stage of pre-season, the sports science department is so crucial.
“It’s a period where the work is geared more towards fitness and as the weeks progress, it’s obviously more football.”