Sunderland U21s played Newcastle United U21s on Monday evening.
Sunderland U21s were at Whitley Bay Park on Monday evening as they played rivals Newcastle United in the opening game of the Premier League 2 season.
The game ended 1-1 with Timur Tutierov on the score-sheet for Sunderland, who also had the likes of Ian Poveda and Jewison Bennette in the side.
Sunderland signing Poveda got his first run out in red and white as he looks to regain match fitness for Regis Le Bris.
Bennette has been tipped to leave the Stadium of Light this summer but as of now, his future appears to be uncertain.
Nonetheless, it was a good outing for the young Black Cats, with the first-team squad having an even better outing on Sunday.
Sunderland thumped Sheffield Wednesday 4-0 in the Championship, leaving Le Bris with a perfect start to the 2024/25 Championship season.
At the game at Whitley Bay Park, there were several familiar faces in attendance, including one former Sunderland fan favourite, and a former manager too.
Kristjaan Speakman among those in attendance at Sunderland U21s vs Newcastle United
For the game vs Newcastle United U21s, sporting director Kristjaan Speakman was in attendance.
He was there along with the likes of former Sunderland boss Jack Ross who’s part of the academy set up at Newcastle United, with first-team boss Eddie Howe also in attendance.
And former Sunderland favourite and skipper Lee Cattermole was also at the game, per journalist James Copley.
- READ MORE: Forget Mayenda, Sunderland star hailed after ‘wonderful’ performance vs Sheffield Wednesday
Kristjaan Speakman may be looking for alternative Sunderland options
Despite a strong start to the season, Sunderland still appear to be in need of some squad additions this summer, mainly up front.
And with Speakman attending an U21s game, it may suggest that he’s looking for some alternatives to new signings, and potentially seeing if there’s any youngsters who could make the step up to the first-team.
Sunderland remain a club who take pride in their youth academy, along with their youth recruitment and overall youth development.
Speakman may also have been casting an eye over the likes of Bennette and deciding whether or not the club should move him on during this summer’s transfer window.
There’s certainly a lot of transfer issues for Speakman and Sunderland to weigh up before the August 30th deadline.
But for now, matters on the pitch anyway, are certainly moving forward.