After six long months, Sunderland finally get back to competitive action today when they take on Hull City in the Carabao Cup.
The first-round match is the curtain raiser on what should be an interesting season for the Black Cats.
Promotion - at the third time of asking - is the be-all-and-end-all of course for Phil Parkinson and Co, with the Wearsiders among the bookies favourites to win a place in the Championship come May.
The fixture list is a packed one, and it will only get more intense for today's winners, with the first four rounds of the competition all taking place in September.
While Hull have some injury issues to contend with, Parkinson has a virtually fully-fit squad to pick from.
Elliot Embleton is unlikely to be involved having picked up a minor knock in pre-season, while Arbenit Xhemajli is unavailable. Sunderland's other four new signings are elligble.
Defenders Bailey Wright and Morgan Feeney are in contention, while Lee Burge will battle it out with Remi Matthews for the goalkeeping duties.
Up front, Aiden O'Brien is looking to show what he can do, while Will Grigg's pre-season form as give Parkinson something to think about.
The question is, who would you start for Sunderland today?
Use our team selector above to pick your Black Cats XI to take on Hull, and we'll compile the most popular fans' XI.
Don't forget to share your team with us on social media at @ChronicleSAFC.
