Sunderland under-18s are in Premier League action at Everton this Saturday.
Following a 3-3 draw against Manchester United last week, the youth team head to Finch Farm for a 12:30pm kick-off knowing the are in for another tough afternoon against the fourth place side.
Ryan Gooch’s 98th minute strike at Carrington salvaged a point as the young Black Cats fought their way back after trailing 3-1 in the final 15 minutes.
But if it’s one thing Paul Bryson’s side showed it was plenty of character, and the under-18 boss knows the Lads will need to replicate that once again on Merseyside this Saturday.
“We spent a lot of the game at United chasing it but the lads showed good character and desire to get back into it,” he said.
“On Saturday, we will need to do it all again. We are short on numbers for one reason or another so we know it’s going to be difficult but that’s a challenge we have to stand up to and meet.
“We played Everton earlier in the season in the FA Youth Cup and we probably showed them too much respect and came in 2-0.
“We then got a goal back and had a good couple of opportunities to equalise but we ended losing 4-1.
“This weekend, we are looking for a similar performance to the one they showed in the first 20-25 minutes of the second 45. It’s about trying to play at a high level for 90 minutes.
“It will be a big ask but it’s a good opportunity for some of the younger lads to show what they are about.”
