Break over, time now to halt slide

SO, an international break meant no matches for a lot of the first team squad at the Stadium of Light this week, but if there’s one man who won’t have had his players laughing and joking around and enjoying a few days in the sun, it’s Roy Keane.

Whilst the last fortnight will no doubt have provided us with some vital rest and relaxation, you can bet your bottom dollar that some serious work will have been done on the training ground.

While most teams have spent the last week watching their players from afar, hoping and praying they don’t suffer injuries, we’ve had the benefit of most of our squad staying together.