SUNDERLAND return to the domestic calendar this weekend when they welcome Preston North End. 

The game marks the end of the international break. Here is everything you need to know about the game: 

Where will the game take place?

Sunderland return to home soil this weekend when they host a Preston North End side who are supplanted in the bottom half of the table in 15th place.

The last time the Lillywhites came to the Stadium of Light was back in the Black Cats disastrous 2017/18 when they fell to relegation to League One. They were beaten 2-0 on the day.

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off is at 3pm on Saturday 1st October.

Are tickets still available?

Yes. Tickets are still available for the game through the Sunderland AFC website.

Is the game being shown on TV or streamed live?

You can watch the game through the club’s official live streaming service SAFC Live but only if you are based internationally. 3pm kick-off's on Saturday are restricted to live streaming due to league rules. 

Video passes usually start from around £10 per game and begin around 60 minutes before kick-off which includes pre-match preview from Frankie Francis and former Black Cats defender Danny Collins.

Alternatively, highlights of the game will be published on the club’s YouTube page or will be available on the Sky Sports App.

What is Sunderland’s line-up likely to be?

The news was confirmed today that striker Ellis Simms will not be available for the visit of Preston North End. His toe injury has kept him out since the 3-0 win over Reading before the international break and he will not return in time for the game.

Ross Stewart is still out and will be for the number of weeks as he continues his rehabilitation from a thigh injury.

Fresh from his goalscoring exploits against Watford and for Costa Rica, Jewison Bennette’s chances of featuring in the game look slim. Due to his participation in international friendlies, the teenager is not due to return to training until Friday morning and could still be suffering from jetlag due to the eight hour time difference of playing in South Korea.

There was some encouraging news in that Dennis Cirkin looks set to be available for the game after returning to training this week after a hamstring injury.

Sunderland (probable) 3-4-3: Patterson; O’Nien, Batth, Alese; Gooch, Evans, Neil, Clarke; Roberts, Embleton, Pritchard

How are Preston North End shaping up?

Ryan Lowe has a near full compliment of players to choose from as they head to the Stadium of Light. Ben Woodburn has made a return to training over the international break after a recent injury lay-off.

Young forward Mikey O’Neill is the only absentee as Lowe said: “There’s only young Mikey who has a slight abductor problem but other than that we have a fully fit squad to pick from which is the first time in a while.”

Daniel Johnson will be monitored by Preston’s medical staff having recently represented Jamaica whilst on international duty. He is due to arrive back today (Thursday) after a recent friendly against Argentina with the game taking place in New Jersey, USA.

Meanwhile, Ali McCann has been with Northern Ireland while Alan Browne, Troy Parrott and Robbie Brady has been representing the Republic of Ireland.