Sunderland will be looking to reach the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time since 2015 when they face Middlesbrough on Saturday (KO 1pm).
Read all you need to know about the game here…
TREATMENT ROOM
It’s not been a happy New Year in the Sunderland treatment room, but it has been a busy one with Darron Gibson the latest casualty. The Republic of Ireland midfielder has been ruled out for up to 10 weeks due to a groin injury, and the news comes as a bitter blow with the 29-year-old enjoying his best football for the club. Gibson joins Lamine Kone, Lee Cattermole, Didier Ndong, Jack Rodwell, Jonny Williams, Duncan Watmore and Lynden Gooch on the sidelines, with Adam Matthews also ruled out of Saturday’s game as Paddy McNair and Aiden McGeady face late fitness tests.
PULIS ON THE MARCH
Garry Monk’s dismissal caught many off-guard, but those on Teesside quickly forget their former manager when Tony Pulis arrived at the Riverside Stadium. The Welshman was a swift and high-profile appointment by Boro chairman Steve Gibson, with Pulis out of work for just over a month after being dismissed by West Bromwich Albion. His tenure began with a late defeat against Aston Villa, but Boro started 2018 with a win as Preston North End were beaten in a five-goal thriller. And Pulis has been quick to make changes off the pitch as well, bringing in long-time assistant David Kemp and goalkeeping coach Jonathan Gould earlier this week.
DESTINATION: ROUND FOUR
Sunderland are hoping to reach the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time since 2015. The Black Cats were beaten by Burnley in a third-round replay last season, with their 2016 exploits also ending in a third-round exit as Arsenal clinched a 3-1 win at the Emirates Stadium. 2014 and 2015 yielded better results, though, as the Lads reached the quarter-finals and fifth round. Sunderland lifted the cup in 1937 and 1973, reaching their first final in 1913. Boro, meanwhile, reached the quarter-finals last year but they have never won the competition, with their best showing coming in the 1996-97 season when they fell to Chelsea in the final at Wembley Stadium.
FA CUP HISTORY
The two sides have met on eight previous occasions in the Emirates FA Cup – and Sunderland hold the edge winning four to Boro’s one, with three ending level. The most recent clash was a fourth-round replay in February 2012 and the tie required extra-time as Stephane Sessegnon struck to seal a 2-1 win, and the Black Cats would go on to reach the quarter-finals where they were beaten by Everton. The first-ever meeting between the sides also came in the FA Cup way back in 1887 – and once again a replay was needed to settle the tie. The first game ended 2-2 before Sunderland returned home to triumph 4-2.
FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION
Tickets are sold out with 4,400 Sunderland supporters set to back the Black Cats on Teesside.
If you’re not attending the game we have comprehensive coverage of all the action as it happens across our digital channels.
Nick Barnes and Gary Bennett will be in the commentary booth from 12pm, with minute-by-minute analysis available right here and across social media from Twitter to Instagram.