Sunderland gear up for crucial West Ham clash by training against fierce opposition... the Black Cats' Under-8s

Daily Mail | April 14, 2017

It could be very easy for Sunderland to wallow in self-pity and surround themselves in the doom and gloom that is their Premier League form.

But the Black Cats continue to find ways to keep spirits high and produce moments to enjoy in what is, for the main part, a torrid season for the north-east club.

The latest attempt to keep the players upbeat comes in the form of Sunderland Under-8s. The first team trained with the young Black Cats at the Academy of Light before West Ham come to visit this weekend.

Sunderland players geared up for their crunch clash with West Ham by training with Under-8s

Defender John O'Shea loses his marker as the young striker makes a break for it

Javier Manquillo tracks back as one of the young stars makes a burst down the wing

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford raises a leg to stop an outside-of-the-boot cross into the box

Lee Cattermole shepherds the wannabe Black Cat, donning a tucked-in shirt like the skipper

They went toe-to-toe with some of the best the club has to offer and both kids and players alike were all smiles on Thursday.