Elliott Dickman is keen to cement Sunderland under-23s’ place at their top of their Premier League Cup group with three points at Burnley on Monday.
The young Black Cats travel to Edgeley Park, Stockport, on Monday 27 February for a 1pm kick-off as they look to secure their place in the knockout stages.
One of only two teams still undefeated in the competition, the Black Cats take on Burnley knowing a point would be enough to secure their pathway through to the next round.
However, Dickman is refusing to settle for just a point and has challenged his players to keep striving to better themselves as they face two matches in the next four days.
“It is a big game and another opportunity for the lads to show what they can do,” he said.
“It is another challenge and it is one as staff and players we always look forward to because you want to progress in as many cup competitions as you can.
“The demands that we set are that we want the players to be at their very best all the time.”
He continued: “Things have to be done right, they have to be done properly – just doing enough day in day out isn’t going to help you progress.
“You have to work hard to improve so from our point of view as staff we want players to know that the demands are high.
“They are the same high standards every week and in every game – it’s important the lads maintain that.”
