Black Cat's chairman Niall Quinn can't wait for the season to get going: "The holidays are coming to an end now the fixtures are out. This is the time when everyone gets giddy about what's going to happen. Last year is dead and gone and it's all about bringing it on now.

"We're all very excited and with three games in eight days, the start of the season will be hectic but we'll relish it. This is what staying in the Barclays Premier League was all about and it's great to be involved."

SAFC chief executive Steve Walton commented: "We've a good chance of getting off to a cracking start.  Playing Chelsea just a couple of days into the season gives us the opportunity to catch them cold and we shouldn't underestimate that we've got three of the top teams to play in our first seven home fixtures but that's what the Barclays Premier League is all about and we're looking forward to it."

The 09-10 campaign ends with a visit to Wolverhampton where the Black Cats will look to beat former Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy's Wolves.

The final home game of the season will be against Sir Alex Ferguson's Premier League champions Manchester United, let's hope we're safe by then.

And for the 8th season in a row Sunderland have a home game on boxing day, seeing David Moyes' Everton at the Sunderland Stadium of Light.

Steve Bruce will face his former side Wigan, in Wigan, on November 28th.

And the longest away trip of the season to Portsmouth is once again night kick off! Some sort of conspiracy going on here.

Only the opening home game with Chelsea and the mid December visit of Aston Villa are scheduled for evening kick offs at the Stadium of Light although of course all fixtures are subject to being moved for live TV coverage.

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