Sunderland under-23s resume their Premier League 2 campaign on Wednesday when Derby County head to Wearside.
Ahead of the match safc.com has put together an all you need to know guide...
Fixture: Sunderland U23 v Derby County U23
Location: Stadium of Light
Date and kick-off: Wednesday 19 October, KO 7pm
Competition: Premier League 2
How they line-up: Derby County U23
League position: 11th
League wins: 1
League defeats: 5
League goals scored: 8
League goals conceded: 14
Form guide in all competitions: LLLWWL
Last time out: Derby County U23 0-2 Benfica U23 (dcfc.co.uk)
A goal in each half saw Derby County’s unde-23s fall to a 2-0 defeat to a strong and confident Benfica B side in their latest Premier League International Cup outing.
Joao Carvalho got the ball rolling for the Eagles at St George’s Park, converting a left wing cross with his head after 18 minutes after the visitors had controlled the opening stages of the meeting.
Heriberto Tavares added a crucial second with a lobbed finish that just crossed the goalline despite the best efforts of Chris Weale’s initial save and Calum Macdonald’s attempted acrobatic clearance.
It is a fair assessment to say that Darren Wassall’s came up against their toughest opponents of the season to date in Staffordshire, where win would have left them on the verge of qualifying for the knockout stages of the International Cup.
Spotlight – Derby County U23 coach: Darren Wassall
Born in Edgaston, Birmingham, in June 1968, Wassall began his footballing career across the Midlands at Nottingham Forest.
A centre-back by trade, Wassall made 45 appearances in all competitions for the Reds and enjoyed loan spells at Hereford United and Bury in the late 1980s.
Wassall then moved across the East Midlands divide and joined Derby County in 1992. While his maiden campaign for the Rams was injury hit, the defender went onto make over 80 appearances for Derby before helping them to promotion to the Premier League in the 1995/96 season.
Spells at Manchester City, Birmingham and Burton Albion followed before Wassall returned to Derby as Academy Manager in 2008. During his time at the helm, the West Midlands born coach has helped produce such players as Jeff Hendrick, Will Hughes and Jamie Hanson.
Key battle: Tom Beadling v Charles Vernam
While Andy Welsh will be focused on unlocking the Rams’ defence, at the other end of the field the visitors will be keen to get Charles Vernam on the ball as often as possible. With seven goals in just six Premier League 2 games this term, the 20-year-old has enjoyed an emphatic start to the campaign. Usually deployed in the centre of the park, Tom Beadling will have his work cut out as Vernam is renowned for his link-up play and movement from deep. With a sure eye for goal, this will be one player the Black Cats must contain.
