On the challenge: "It will be difficult. I think these games always are because there's a lot of emotion and challenges for the players to overcome to make sure we enter the pitch in the right frame of mind, which is focused on how we play and what we need to do."

Follow live updates from the Stadium of Light in our blog below, from the team news all the way through to the post-match reaction. I’m proud to be part of this group. Everything we do is a collective effort — the players on the pitch and the staff working tirelessly off it.

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka has addressed supporters ahead of Sunday’s derby clash against Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light.

Newcastle and Sunderland face each other for the first time in the Premier League since 2016. It will mean everything to both sets of fans

Sunderland have paid tribute to Gary Rowell after the club legend passed away at the age of 68. The Black Cats have announced they will honour their legendary goalscorer, who died following a long battle with leukaemia,

Sunderland v Newcastle United injury news: The latest from Regis Le Bris and Eddie Howe ahead of today’s Wear-Tyne derby. Both Eddie Howe and Regis Le Bris have a number of injury concerns to deal with ahead of today’s clash between Newcastle United and Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Black Cats will return to Premier League action on Sunday, when they face the Magpies, looking to secure a vital win in the Tyne-Wear derby against their fierce

Sunderland and Newcastle United meet in the Premier League on Sunday for the first Tyne-Wear derby in the competition since March 2016, with both clubs positioned in the middle of the table and separated by a single point.