Ball previews derby clash

Youth team boss Kevin Ball is itching to get back into action tomorrow when the young Cats host Newcastle in an eagerly-awaited Tyne-Wear derby.

Sunderland triumphed 4-1 at Longbenton earlier in the season and will be easger to cement their place at the top of the table by making it a double tomorrow.

Ball's youngsters have had limited action since December due to the wintry weather, although they did take part in a practice game last Friday at the Academy of Light.

"It's been very stop-start for a number of weeks now, which is quite frustrating," Ball said.

"Our last league game would have been at Nottingham Forest, but we got an hour and a half down the road only for the game to be called off.