SUNDERLAND are fast approaching one of the biggest games in their recent history but manager Alex Neil has offered an update from a ‘calm’ training ground as the club nail down their preparations for their League One play-off final against Wycombe Wanderers. 

The Black Cats take on the Chairboys at Wembley for a place in the Championship next season on Saturday afternoon where Sunderland have sold up to 44,000 tickets for the game as it promises to be a lively atmosphere at the home of English Football.

Having overcome the hurdle of Sheffield Wednesday over two legs, one game stands between Sunderland and a return to the second tier of English football after four seasons in League One.

The nerves may well begin to creeps in for the fans this week but the club have given the players ample time to relax ahead of the game and it’s left them in 'fine fettle' going into the rest of this week where the players have been back at the Academy of Light. 

Neil said: “We’ve set our stall out pretty early doors in terms of what we wanted to achieve and now we’ve got one big hurdle to go. 

“We’ve given them plenty of time off. We’ve done a few training sessions now as well. They are looking sharp and are looking in fine fettle in terms of mood and we are looking forward to the final now.

“We’ve set out our stall early doors. Our intention and goal was to try and get promoted and that’s not done. You don’t get anything for being a glorious loser so what we are trying to do is go and win the game and get promotion. That’s our only focus we have got at the moment.”

As part of his way of preparing the players, it appears that Neil has placed a lot of emphasis on not letting the players get wrapped up in the euphoria of the occasion.

However, the manager admits that it is something that his players are used to by now when it comes to playing for a club like Sunderland. 

Neil continued: “I think what people fail to register is that we play under scrutiny, pressure and in front of big crowds every week, particularly when we are at home so us going to Wembley and it being a big occasion, it’s fantastic. But it’s not really anything new for these players or this club. 

“What is it? The third time at Wembley in four years? We’ve been there on quite a few occasions recently. We understand the importance of the game, we understand what it carries with it so we’re focused, we’re settled. 

“I wouldn’t say there is any nerves. We just know what we have got to do and we have got to get ourselves ready to do it.”

The Black Cats manager was able to provide a positive injury update ahead of the game with his players successfully coming through both of their legs against the Owls without complication.

Neil added: “We’ve come through both of those legs relatively unscathed which is good. A couple of wee bumps and bruises. Bailey (Wright) has split his eye, (Lynden) Gooch has got a split in the top of his head as well but nothing too significant. 

“We’re just hoping that we can try and get the lads through this week fine and fit and ready to go. Looking forward to it and everything so far, albeit it is early, has went well.”