Sunderland and Newcastle United will meet in a secret Wear-Tyne derby at the Stadium of Light this week.

Sportsmail understands that senior players will be involved in the game, which comes just seven weeks before they are due to face each other in the Premier League.

The decision to organise the practice match so close to their survival showdown at St James’ Park has stunned backroom staff.

Adam Johnson (centre) ran all the way to the Newcastle fans after scoring from the penalty spot

Fabricio Coloccini (right) was sent-off during the last Tyne-Wear derby and reacted furiously

The Argentinian was sent off in controversial circumstances after a foul on Steven Fletcher

Indeed, sources have told us that the fear of injuries – as well as the prospect of defeat – have been talked about by those who work behind the scenes.

However, with both clubs having been knocked out of the FA Cup at the third-round stage and not returning to top-flight action until next week, they have agreed to the behind-closed-doors friendly.

The Black Cats have emerged victorious in the last six derbies, setting a new record.

Sam Allardyce enjoyed a 3-0 win in October as he became the fourth Sunderland boss on the spin to celebrate victory over the Magpies in their second match in charge.

Their clash on March 20 already has the look of a game that will go a long way to shaping their survival chances this season.

Jack Colback was forced through injury against his former club following a Lee Cattermole tackle

The Tyne-Wear derby has always a fierce affair and Sunderland have won the last six meetings

NEXT TYNE-WEAR DERBY Newcastle vs Sunderland - St James' Park, March 20, 1:30pm Advertisement

Allardyce’s side are currently four points adrift of safety and two behind Newcastle.

They both return to a daunting run of fixtures after this weekend, Sunderland facing both Manchester clubs and Liverpool, while Newcastle take on Everton, Chelsea and Manchester City before the end of February.

Steve McClaren’s Newcastle have won just one in seven in the league and the head coach has finally admitted he is repeating himself.

Supporters have grown frustrated with McClaren claiming that they are playing well and have been unlucky to lose five of their last seven in all competitions.

Odion Ighalo (centre) celebrates scoring the opening goal for Watford during their win on Saturday

McClaren has hailed performances as ‘tremendous’ or ‘excellent’ in the wake several defeats.

But the former England manager has conceded that the record is wearing thin when it comes to accentuating the positives.

‘We lost a game (2-1 at Watford on Saturday) that we shouldn’t have done – again,’ said McClaren.

‘But we stand here quite a few times and say the same thing.

‘You’ve got to be able to defend at one end and score at the other – and we’re not doing enough of both.’

(From left) Ayoze Perez, Georginio Wijnaldum and Aleksandar Mitrovic walk off dejected at the final whistle

McClaren, though, continues to back his players and believes there will be no issue when it comes to avoiding the drop.

‘We won’t have a problem (staying up) if we keep (playing like) that week in, week out,’ he added.

Meanwhile, Allardyce says the inflated price tags of English players such as Newcastle target Saido Berahino leaves him with no option but to shop abroad.

Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce has admitted the inflated price of English players makes him look abroad

Newcastle have spent £12million on Swansea midfielder Jonjo Shelvey and made a bold move for Berahino – West Brom are demanding as much as £30m for the striker – but Allardyce will look overseas for his players.

‘It’s the size of the fees and the lack of players’ availability in this country,’ said the 61-year-old when asked why he was concentrating his search beyond these shores.

‘It’s £30million for Berahino. That tag, because he’s English, or because he’s played in this country, or because he’s a home-grown player, because he’s a striker, is the size of the valuation now.

Newcastle are keen to sign West Brom outcast Saido Berahino but are finding a deal tough to complete

‘The foreign market has always been better value for money overall.’

Allardyce, though, concedes that he would have been interested in Shelvey and is at a loss to explain why Swansea sold him to a relegation rival.

‘It appears they let Jonjo Shelvey go because, for some reason, they said he was disruptive, I don’t know why or how,’ he said.

‘If I’d have needed a midfield player I would have liked Jonjo Shelvey, but I didn’t need one.’