Sunderland manager Gus Poyet will be looking to include academy youngsters in the squad that travels to Manchester City for tonight’s Premier League encounter.
The Black Cats have availability problems for the game at the Etihad Stadium and will be naming an under 21 squad player in his traveling party to start the game on the bench.
On top of that an under 18’s squad member has traveled to Manchester a a stand by in case of any late injuries or illnesses.
Long-term casualties Steven Fletcher and Keiren Westwood are out of the squad as is Phil Bardsley who is currently banned. Another player, Liam Bridcott will not be there because of personal reasons.
Four others are also missing with injuries or illness which leaves Poyet with a majorly depleted squad ahead of meeting if not one of the best squads, certainly the most expensive squad of players in the top flight.
Speaking to SportMail, Poyet said: “Injuries come through contact and that is football. But other ones come when there is tension and nerves.
“They all come with tiredness and especially the mental side of things.
“We have gone from having a full squad – with the exception of Westie for the Cup final last month to now having seven or eight players missing.
“That`s normal. It`s nothing against the players, it`s the tension, the nerves and the pressure.
“Fletcher and Westie are out injured, and Liam is out for personal reasons, while Phil is suspended.
“But we also have three or four other injuries, and one ill.’
Sunderland face both Manchester City and Chelsea away from home in just a few days knowing that they have to get something to help close the gap between themselves and safety.
They also need other clubs to slip up.
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We are a few short jut when we could do with a few extra
Must be great to be one of those youngsters though, hope they manage to keep it together if they do get a chance