Kevin Phillips
Former Sunderland striker on TNT Sports

Image source, Getty Images

For me it is about the fans, they have been through thick and thin. It was only five years ago they were playing in League One.

They stick by their players, they stick by the club and they deserve it.

I can't wait to get into that stadium, hear the atmosphere and watch the team play in Europe, it's amazing.

The atmosphere is going to be incredible.

I've witnessed some decent atmospheres in that stadium but I think tonight will be the very best.

Sunderland fans are gearing up for a "raucous" return to European football after a 53-year wait.

Fan Colin Lynch, 54, from Chester-le-Street, County Durham, said: "It's been a journey, I never thought it was going to happen but it is. I'm smiling from ear to ear."

Meanwhile, Simon Haley, 39, from Durham, said: "It's going to break decibel records when they walk out… I reckon they'll hear it in Shields."

Kyle Wilkinson, 39, from Durham said: "It's going to be raucous tonight.

"It's showing the best of Sunderland in a way. Look at the way the city is looking now and we get a European night to show it off."

To show how far Sunderland have come in a short space of time they still have in their squad two players from their League One days - Trai Hume and Luke O'Nien.

"It shows they are really well connected with the identity of club," Sunderland boss Regis le Bris said.

"We are talking about the key values and key pillars, but also behaviours. You want to get better. You can start maybe from a lower level, but if you get better, you want to improve every day, you can reach something impressive - like this."

Regis le Bris makes four changes to the Sunderland team that started Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Arsenal for the Black Cats' first European game since 1973.

In come Omar Alderete, Trai Hume, Malick Fofana and Wilson Isidor with Dan Ballard, Thomas Meunier, Nilson Angulo and Brian Brobbey all dropping to the bench.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Mukiele, Danso, Alderete, Reinildo, Sadiki, Xhaka, Hume, Le Fee, Fofana, Isidor

Subs: Moore, Ballard, Methalie, Brobbey, Angulo, Rigg, Meunier, O'Nien, Ahoka.

Image source, BBC/ Opta

There are two changes to the AZ Alkmaar XI that started their 1-1 draw with Willem II on Friday.

Manager Leeroy Echteld brings in Kees Smit and Ayoub Oufkir as the Dutch side aim to extend their unbeaten start to the campaign.

AZ Alkmaar XI: De Busser, Dijkstra, Goes, Schouten, Chavez, Clasie, Koopmeiners, Smit, Oufkir, Daal, Meerdink.

Subs: Owusu-Oduro, Verhulst, Maikuma, Patati, Stengs, Byskov, Kovacs, Hornkamp, Kwakman, Hoedt, Ichihara, De Wit.

Image source, BBC/ Opta

Image source, Getty Images

Good evening!

It has been quite a couple of years for Sunderland fans.

Not only did they gain a perhaps unexpected promotion back to the Premier League two seasons ago but they surpassed expectations last term to finish seventh and secure European football for this campaign.

Now they are preparing to embark on a new adventure.

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland have had to wait a long time to taste European football once again - 53 years to be exact.

That means for many fans this will be their first experience of it, and excitement has been building all day as the Black Cats prepare to play their first game in this season's Europa League.