David Moyes has confirmed changes to Sunderland’s starting XI for their third round Emirates FA Cup match will be at a premium.
With Lamine Kone, Didier Ndong and Wahbi Khazri away on international duty for the African Cup of Nations, Moyes has been left with even more of a threadbare squad than he had prior to the festive period.
However, the Black Cats have been handed a fitness boost over on loan youngster Jason Denayer who returned to training this week.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference the Scot confirmed the Belgian could return to action this weekend after missing out on Sunderland’s quick-fire festive fixtures against Burnley and Liverpool.
The 53-year-old also revealed topscorer Jermain Defoe could feature while he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of selecting a number of youngsters.
“Jason has done a bit of training so hopefully he will be ok,” he admitted.
“Apart from that I’m expecting much of the same, Victor Anichebe has got a hamstring injury which is going to keep him out.
“We have got a group of players and it’s the same group of players that have been working for us week in week out in the main.
“We have had a few additions but the three boys we have lost to the African Cup of Nations this week sort of makes that smaller, but nevertheless it’s the same group of players so we won’t be far off the same boys we play most weeks."
He continued: “We will continue to try and promote young players but at the same time and in the same breathe I want to win games as well and build momentum for the team.
“I have got to do that in the right way. The boys at the academy will be brought up and some of them maybe involved in some way.
“We will need Jermain to be around it because we just don’t have enough people around to say we’re resting you this week.”
