Sunderland resume battle with Fulham on Wednesday night on Wearside turf, as the Lads look to go one better following a creditable draw at Craven Cottage in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round (KO 7:45pm).
Team news
Tony Mowbray has delivered a team news update, with a place in the last 16 of the Cup at stake.
The Head Coach confirmed Dennis Cirkin will be absent due to concussion protocols following his head injury sustained whilst scoring our equaliser at Millwall on Saturday.
Joe Gelhardt, Joe Anderson and Isaac Lihadji are also unable to feature as they were not registered in time for the original tie at Craven Cottage – Pierre Ekwah however is available.
The more positive news is that Luke O’Nien has completed his three-match suspension and is in contention to return on Wearside, whilst a number of youngsters are likely to participate in the matchday squad with a maximum of nine substitute spots available.
Opposition
Fulham have enjoyed an excellent first half of the campaign, upon their return to the Premier League as Championship title winners last May. The Cottagers have swapped divisions in each of the last five seasons, not finishing outside the Championship’s top six since 2016. The solitary game Fulham have played since the original tie was last Friday's impressive goalless draw at local rivals Chelsea.
Whilst without a modern-day major trophy, Fulham’s most famous generational achievement was reaching the 2010 UEFA Europa League final. Under Roy Hodgson, the club produced famous continental victories over Juventus, Wolfsburg, Hamburg and Shakhtar Donetsk. Fulham also won the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2002.
The original tie in South-West London witnessed a 1-1 draw in which Jack Clarke opened the scoring early before Tom Cairney’s leveller. Chris Rigg, just 15, was denied a momentous late winner in front of the Sunderland fans by the offside flag in the build-up. VAR confirmed the decision – this technology will NOT be in place at the Stadium of Light for the replay.
Around the grounds (other FA Cup R4 replays, all Tuesday 7:45pm)
Burnley vs Ipswich
Fleetwood vs Sheffield Wednesday
Grimsby vs Luton
Sheffield United vs Wrexham
Tickets & coverage
Tickets remain available via safc.com and the Stadium of Light ticket office.
This game will be broadcast live on BBC One. SAFC Live streaming is therefore not available.
Social media coverage will as ever be available via the club’s official pages on Twitter @SunderlandAFC, and Instagram @sunderlandafcofficial.