Simon Grayson is set to make changes when Sunderland travel to Everton on Wednesday evening in the Carabao Cup.
Ty Browning and Brendan Galloway are unable to face their parent club but James Vaughan, who battled through illness on Saturday, will be raring to go.
The Sunderland boss revealed that changes – some enforced and some tactical – will be made at Goodison Park, but insisted the aim is to progress and knock out the Premier League side.
“There will be a few of changes from Saturday,” said Grayson.
“Some are forced due to injuries and others are chomping at the bit to get into the team, so the team we put out will be one that wants to win the game against an Everton team that are desperate to win as well.”
He continued: “They [Brendan and Ty] haven’t been granted permission to play.
“James Vaughan was ill on Thursday and Friday but he’s more or less recovered now, and there’s been a few bumps and bruises along the way.
“If anybody’s a doubt then they won’t play because of the importance of next week.”
Grayson also lifted the lid on Josh Maja, Duncan Watmore and Aiden McGeady, with the trio nearing a return to first-team action.
“Duncan will play again at the weekend against West Ham United and Josh Maja is back on the grass running, so we expect him to be back with us after the international weekend.
“And we hope Duncan will be back around that time as well.”
He added: “Aiden McGeady is very close to being back with us.”