Sunderland winger Duncan Watmore has welcomed their tough preseason camp in Austria.
Watmore was a second-half sub in the 3-0 win over Hartlepool United at Victoria Park, Sunderland's first pre-season game.
"The lads started off really sharp [against Hartlepool United]," Watmore told the Sunderland Echo.
"We've had a good pre-season and all the staff have worked hard for that.
"We've worked hard as players too, and it was good for us that it paid off.
"The way they played in the first half was exactly what you want for the first game of pre-season and then, with some of the young lads, we did well in the second half. It was good.
"It was a hard ten days [in Austria] but that's what it's there for.
"Pre-season you've got to work hard and thankfully we got a win so it's a good start and we take that onto the next game."