The EFL have recently announced that the 2020/21 season will get under way in League One on the weekend of the 12th September.

The 2019/20 campaign had been drawn to an early conclusion, after off-the-field events previously called a halt to fixtures across the country.

Sunderland had been challenging for a top-six finish in the third-tier, but were denied a place in the play-off positions, after the majority of League One clubs agreed to curtail this year's campaign on a PPG (points per game) basis.

This meant that Sunderland finished eighth in the League One table, and they'll be eager to win a timely promotion back into the Championship under Phil Parkinson's guidance next season.

A number of the Sunderland squad took to social media to react to the news about the start date for the 2020/21 campaign being set by the EFL.

Sunderland will be playing their football in League One for a third successive season, and so the players will have to deal with the weight of expectation to win promotion back into the Championship next term.

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The Verdict: 

They'll be eager to win promotion back into the Championship next season.

Sunderland have been somewhat of a 'sleeping giant' for far too long now, and it's vital that they win promotion back into the second-tier this term, otherwise they'll find it more and more difficult as the seasons progress.

They've got the makings of a strong squad at League One level, and they need to find a run of consistently positive results if they're to mount a serious challenge for promotion.

The Stadium of Light faithful will be hoping they can see their side back in action in person at the earliest of opportunities.