Hartlepool United v Sunderland in pre-season friendly at Victoria Park

Hartlepool United have announced their first home pre-season friendly - the derby visit of Sunderland.

By The Newsroom

Published 3rd Jun 2016, 16:44 BST

Updated 3rd Jun 2016, 18:48 BST

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce is coming to the Vic

Pools will play host to their Premier League neighhbours on Wednesday, July 20 (kick-off 7.30pm).

It is a filip for Pools to have a high-profile Victoria Park event after Sam Allardyce led the Black Cats to top-flight survival with a brilliant end-of-season run.

Sunderland are no strangers to the Vic with Steve Bruce, Martin O’Neill and Gus Poyet bringing strong sides in recent years, with Big Sam now doing the same.

It is the second summer friendly announced by Pools following the trip to last season’s FA Cup foes Salford City on Tuesday, July 26 (kick-off 7.30pm).