Tom Flanagan and Conor McLaughlin will miss Sunderland's first two competitive games of the season after being named in the Northern Ireland squad.
New Ireland boss Ian Baraclough has included the defensive duo in his 26-man squad for the UEFA National League games against Romania in Bucharest on September 4, and Norway in Belfast on September 7.
And that means Flanagan and McLaughlin will be unavailable for the Black Cats' Carabao Cup first round tie against Hull City at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, September 5, and for the opening EFL Trophy group game against Aston Villa U21 the following midweek.
Hull striker Josh Magennis is also in the Northern Ireland squad, which means he will be unable to feature for the Tigers.
Flanagan and McLaughlin will be back on Wearside and available for Sunderland's League One opener on Saturday, September 12, against Bristol Rovers at the Stadium of Light.
