U23s match preview: Dickman ready for Canaries showdown

Elliott Dickman is gunning for cup glory as Sunderland prepare to lock horns with Norwich City for a place in the Premier League International Cup final tonight.

Portuguese outfit FC Porto await the victors of tonight’s semi-final clash at Carrow Road, with the young Black Cats bidding to write their name in the club’s history as the first side to reach a European final.

Undefeated in this year’s international cup, like the Canaries, Dickman takes his side to Norfolk high in confidence despite a frustrating Premier League Cup exit at the hands of Colchester United last time out.

But with attentions locked on tonight’s showdown, Dickman believes his troops have what it takes to get the job done and secure their place in the final.

“The mood in the camp has been good and some of the lads have had the chance to train with the first-team,” he said.

“That has come as a real pick me up from that Colchester defeat. We had a session together with the first-team which was fantastic for everyone and the staff included.

“In these sort of fixtures we are aware that Norwich have tended to be quite strong and use a number of their senior players.

“They must have a big emphasis on doing well in the cup,” he continued.

“It’s the semi-final of a cup so we have to do what we can to try to progress. But it’s still within the principles of what we want.

“There will be a little bit of sticking to what we’re good at but at the same time we want to progress. We might have to manage the game a little bit differently to a normal league game.”

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