Sunderland news: Legend Gary Bennett and Black Cats historian on the return to Europe

Sunderland return to European football for the first time in over 50 years on Wednesday evening in a 'pinch me' moment for supporters.

Regis le Bris' side take on AZ Alkmaar in their opening fixture and Sunderland legend Gary Bennett - the club's fifth all-time appearance maker - says the ride to get there has been "unbelievable".

"It's been a journey, especially from where Sunderland have come from," Bennett told BBC Radio Newcastle. "From Division One days where we'd been playing at places like Morecombe and Akrington Stanley, we're actually playing in Europe now.

"I don't think a lot of supporters have seen a European game, I'm one of them as well, and we're pinching ourselves. Our target was to get back into the Premier League and if you start talking about Europe you're thinking 'well it's not going to happen in the present moment'.