Mick McCarthy believes UEFA Cup semi-finalists AZ Alkmaar will give Sunderland a demanding work-out a week before the Premiership kick-off.
The Black Cats fly to Holland tomorrow to take on AZ at their Alkmaarder Hout ground and McCarthy expects them to put his side through their paces.
AZ finished third in their league last season - behind PSV Eindhoven and Ajax - and reached the last four of the UEFA Cup, where they lost to Newcastle United's conquerors and eventual losing finalists Sporting Lisbon.
McCarthy said: "I'm looking forward to the game which should provide a different challenge to the players.
"I know that Alkmaar play a good standard and, after a successful season, will be looking to press on again.
"That means they will be very competitive, they will stretch us and that's the sort of game I'm looking for.
"Dutch teams place less emphasis on tackling and more on keeping possession and passing the ball well.
"That's going to mean our players focusing on retaining the ball and not giving it away cheaply which, of course, is crucial in the Premiership."
McCarthy has been boosted by the news that Julio Arca has recovered from the ankle knock he picked up against Sheffield United last weekend and will be fit to play at Alkmaar.
McCarthy said: "Julio is fine - he just seems to get on with it while everyone else worries."
With George McCartney (hamstring) and Danny Collins (Achilles) both injured, Arca is the club's only fit senior left-back going into the Premiership campaign.
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