Newcastle United boss Steve McClaren has confirmed reports of a 'secret' derby being staged last week.
The North East rivals arranged a behind-closed-doors friendly for some of their fringe first-teamers and some Under-21 players last week at the Stadium of Light, with the Black Cats' romping to a 6-0 victory.
“It was to get fitness in the players," McClaren told the Evening Chronicle.
“Stevie Taylor needed a game, Jamaal, Rolando, Manu, Gouff (Gouffran), Sylvain Marveaux – all needed games again and some could only play 45 minutes, some 60, some the 90.
“In terms of the game itself, it was about fitness and they will benefit from that.
“The result's academic, as always when we talk about friendlies.
“It's about getting fitness and we arranged it for that reason.
“It was purely for minutes. I spoke to Sam, his (reasoning) was purely for minutes (too)."