Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
Sport
Stuart Jamieson

Which Sunderland U23s should start at Gillingham? Pick your FA Cup side

Sunderland will take a young squad to Kent for tomorrow's FA Cup replay at Gillingham.

But despite Black Cats boss Phil Parkinson having almost a whole starting XI ruled out through injury and international call-ups, the Wearsiders can still field a strong side at Priestfield.

An FA Cup replay was the last thing Sunderland needed, with some crucial League One games on the horizon.

And injuries to Joel Lynch and Jordan Willis has meant Parkinson has something of a crisis in defence.

As a result, he has drafted in seven Under-23s players, with Jack Bainbridge and Brandon Taylor in with a chance to starting.

Will Grigg is available again at the other end of the pitch, while Lee Burge is set to continue in goal despite some impressive performances from Anthony Patterson in the second string.

But the question is what Sunderland XI would you send out against Gillingham. Is now the time to give Ruben Sammut and Lee Connelly their chance, or would you rather the Black Cats put out a strong side to book their place in round two?

Use our interactive team selector above to pick the Sunderland side you want to see at Priestfield, and see how it compares with the most popular XI.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.