Max Power says Sunderland are ready to step up their pre-season preparations another notch as they get ready to meet Carlisle at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats have played a number of in-house friendlies already, and at the weekend they took on external opposition for the first time as they beat National League North side Gateshead 3-1 at the International Stadium.
But tomorrow's game against the Cumbrians marks the next step for Phil Parkinson's side, and a first meeting against EFL opposition when Chris Beech brings his League Two team to Wearside.
"It will be nice to get back at the Stadium of Light, especially for the new lads to get familiar with the surroundings," Power told safc.com .
"You ask any footballer, you can train as much as you like, but nothing can replicate a match situation.
"Carlisle will be a step up from Saturday's game and that's no disrespect to Gateshead.
"The start of the season is not too far away now, so it's important that we start gearing up in match situations and really get that competitive edge back.
"We have a really good group and that togetherness in the dressing room goes a long way throughout a tough, long season."
Sunderland made wholesale changes after an hour against Gateshead, with midfielder Power one of those who came on for the final 30 minutes.
But he says the plan is for him to start against Carlisle and play an hour tomorrow - and that is a policy that Parkinson is likely to adopt with other players too, giving starts to those who came off the bench at Gateshead.
Power said: "Tomorrow, the plan is to play an hour, so it will be nice to get that longer stint in and I've always said pre-season is a good opportunity to create good habits."
New goalkeeper Remi Matthews did not feature on Saturday but could be involved against Carlisle.
