All-star XI prepare to take on Sunderland in first pre-season friendly

The opening match of Sunderland's tour of the Carolinas takes place on Wednesday when Mick McCarthy's side take on the Select Carolina All Stars.

The Select squad will be made up from half a dozen players from the local Castle club in Raleigh plus four players from Charleston Battery; who entertain the Black Cats on Saturday evening, seven from Wilmington Hammerheads, who face Sunderland next week and goalkeeper Chris McKinney.

McKinny plays for Syracuse and trained with Sunderland goalkeepers Mart Poom and Ben Alnwick on Monday as they were put through their paces by Tim Carter.

The Select All Star team was originally also meant to include players from Charlotte Eagles and Carolina Dynamoes but those sides now have to meet each other on the night of the Sunderland game.

The All Stars will be coached by Wilmington Hammerheads boss Dave Irving and will take place at the SAS Soccer Park which next week hosts Brazilian giants Santos against a representative Mexican team.

Kick off on Wednesday is 7.30 local time (12.30am Thursday morning in the UK).

The full SAFC squad includes: Mart Poom, Ben Alnwick, Stephen Wright, Darren Williams, Steve Caldwell, Gary Breen, Ben Clark, George McCartney, Liam Lawrence, Dean Whitehead, Carl Robinson, Sean Thornton, Jeff Whitley, Julio Arca, Grant Leadbitter, Richie Ryan, Kevin Kyle, Marcus Stewart, Stephen Eliott, Chris Brown and Neil Teggart.