Lee Johnson made five changes to the side that started the weekend win against Bolton Wanderers.
He brought in Niall Huggins at left-back in place of Dennis Cirkin, who was substituted in Sunderland's victory on Saturday suffering from concussion.
Bailey Wright started in central defence in place of Callum Doyle, who went off at the weekend with a back problem.
Johnson also introduced Corry Evans to partner Luke O'Nien in midfield, with Dan Neil making way.
He also made two changes to his forward line, with Nathan Broadhead and Aiden O'Brien starting in place of Alex Pritchard and Elliot Embleton.
Embleton, Pritchard, and Neil were included on the bench.
Cheltenham boss Michael Duff made one change to the side that began his side's defeat at Wigan Athletic.
Taylor Perry started instead of Alfie May.
You can follow tonight's action as it happens in our live blog here.
Tonight's line-ups
Sunderland: Hoffmann, Winchester, Flanagan, Wright, Huggins, Evans, O'Nien, Broadhead, O'Brien, McGeady, Stewart
Subs: Burge, Alves, Dajaku, Embleton, Taylor, Pritchard, Neil
Cheltenham: Flinders, Blair, Long, Pollock, Freestone, Hussey, Sercombe, Thomas, Chapman, Perry, Joseph
Subs: Evans, May, Williams, Bonds, Horton, Barkers, Norton
