We all know just how much this game means to the fans - Sadiki

THE Wear-Tyne derby this Sunday will be a new experience for several of Sunderland's starting XI, but midfielder Noah Sadiki insists the new players know just how important the clash is.

- By ROSS GREGORY Football writer

The likes of Dan Ballard and Trai Hume are among the few players still at the club who played last time the two sides met, back in January 2024 in the FA Cup.

For the rest, it could be a baptism of fire at the Stadium of Light. But Sadiki, speaking after the Black Cats’ 3-0 defeat at title-chasing Manchester City on Saturday, said: “It is still a little bit difficult to talk about it [the derby] straight after the game.

“We need to take our rest first, then a few days before the game, we can really focus on it and prepare for what is coming.