Jack Ross has qualification in his sights as Carlisle United come to town this evening.
Sunderland entertain the Sky Bet League Two outfit at the Stadium of Light, kick-off 7.45pm, as both teams look to book their place in the next round of this season’s Checkatrade Trophy.
While the Black Cats collected two points from their opening group A tie, against Stoke City under-21s, the Cumbrian’s sit top after seeing off Morecambe last month.
But despite having 14 players unavailable for tonight’s second tie, Ross admitted at his pre-match conference that the lure of playing at the national stadium is one he can’t take lightly.
“It is important we talk it up because of the prize at the end of it," he said.
“It adds to the punishing schedule but that’s the same for all the clubs in league one and league two.
“There was a similar competition in Scotland, that when you get to the latter stages of it, naturally it becomes more exciting when you can see a prize at stake.
“Anyone who came to our previous match against Stoke City under-21s know that we approached it properly.
“We had a desire to win the game and that will be the same tonight.”
He continued: “There is different pressures that come when playing at home. Our home form has been very good in the league, we will look to continue that tonight.
“The team we will have on the pitch is still a very good team. Squad-wise we are stretched but it’s difficult to predict how Carlisle will play because they have changed their system quite regularly.
“That’s part of the challenge, though. John (Sheridan) has another league game to prepare for on Saturday so it will be different for them in terms of how they approach the game.”
