Simon Grayson admits Sunderland trio are short of match fitness

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Sunderland have made a woeful start to the new campaign, winning just one match.

Simon Grayson has admitted to the Chronicle that Jonny Williams, Callum McManaman and Marc Wilson are all short of fitness currently.

The trio were all brought to Sunderland this summer, but they have not exactly hit the ground running.

Sunderland have struggled for results over the early months of the season, with Grayson’s side currently lodged in the relegation zone in the Championship table.

But Grayson is optimistic that Sunderland’s form will improve, when his new signings are all fully up to speed.

“Don’t forget Williams, McManaman, and Wilson have not played a lot of football, they have had one hell of a schedule over the past month,” the Black Cats said.

“They are probably down on their sharpness and fitness levels in terms of where we would like them to be at this stage.”

Sunderland are under pressure to show a big improvement after the international break, with Grayson having a fortnight to work with his players on the training ground.

The Black Cats are searching for their first league victory since beating Norwich City at Carrow Road back in August.

Sunderland’s next match comes against Ian Holloway’s Queens Park Rangers side, who have also made a fairly slow start to the new campaign.