TONY Mowbray says the big benefit of the trip to the United States will be the opportunity for the summer signings and youngsters to be further integrated into the Sunderland squad.

The Black Cats head for the States on Wednesday, where they'll step up their preparations ahead of the coming Championship season with three friendlies.

Sunderland face San Antonio in Texas this coming Saturday, July 15, with the game kicking off at 2am on Sunday UK time, before heading for Albuquerque to play New Mexico United next Wednesday, July 19 at 7pm, 1am on the Thursday UK time.

Mowbray's men will wrap up the trip against North Carolina FC on Friday, July 21 at 7pm, midnight UK time.

After opening the pre-season campaign with the friendlies against South Shields and Gateshead, the fixtures in the States will provide an opportunity for more crucial game-time and will give Mowbray the chance to take a closer look at new signings and academy players who will be part of the squad.

The main benefit for Mowbray, though, won't be the games but the chance for the players to live in each other's pockets for 10 days and for the new signings and youngsters in particular to continue to settle into the first team squad environment.

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"What's good is the young players will be integrated into the group and will be living with the players," said Mowbray.

"In football clubs you normally come into work and go home at, depending whether you train in the afternoon or not, half past one or half past four and then you're off home. When you're away on a trip together it's 24 hours a day with each other and hopefully that will help the young players integrate into the group.

"There is a lot of travelling, the heat will be hard but the camaraderie of the group, understanding, the young players, that we have to be relentless this year. The league looks so much tougher on paper, the games look really tough, but we should look forward to it."

After linking up with his new teammates at the weekend, Nectar Triantis will be part of the travelling squad. Despite the transfer speculation linking him with a move to Blackburn, Danny Batth is also expected to travel.

Mowbray confirmed, however, that he's decided to leave Elliot Embleton at home. The midfielder is closing in on a return to full fitness but the head coach said it makes more sense for him to continue his recovery at the club's training base.