Port Vale 1 Sunderland AFC 2 RECAP: Josh Hawkes and Aiden O'Brien goals see Cats progress in Carabao Cup after partial floodlight failure
and live on Freeview channel 276
The Black Cats boss made eight changes to his side following the weekend’s 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic in League One, as seveval younger members of the squad received an opportunity to impress against the League Two side.
Goals from Josh Hawkes and Aiden O’Brien, from the penalty spot, saw the visitors progress before Port Vale striker Jamie Proctor pulled one back for the hosts midway through the second half.
A message from the Football Clubs Editor
Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Sunderland AFC coverage 365 days a year.
This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.
Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor
RECAP: Port Vale 1 (Proctor, 67) Sunderland 2 (Hawkes, 40) (O’Brien, 49)
Key Events
- Sunderland XI: Patterson, Younger, Flanagan, Wright, Taylor, O’Nien, Neil, Hawkes, Diamond, Pritchard, O’Brien
- Subs: Burge, Doyle, Evans, Gooch, McGeady, Grigg, Stewart
- Port Vale XI: Stone, Jones, Walker, Legge, Smith, Worrall, Garrity, Wilson, Benning, Proctor, Pett
- Subs: Gibbons, Hurst, Johnson, Martin, Amoo, Cass, Bailey
How we expect SAFC to start tonight
GK: Patterson, RB: Younger, CB: Wright, CB, Flanagan, LB: Taylor, CM: O’Nien, CM: Neil, RW: Diamond, LW: Hawkes, CAM: Pritchard, ST: O’Brien.
Eight changes for Sunderland
Eight changes for Sunderland. Luke O’Nien, Tom Flanagan and Dan Neil are the only players who keep their places from Saturday.
Alex Pritchard is set to make his debut.
Transfer latest
Sunderland are believed to be pursuing a move for Tottenham left-back Dennis Cirkin, with the 19-year-old expected to join the club on a free transfer.
The Black Cats were also credited with interest in left-back Hayden Coulson but the Middlesbrough defender joined Ipswich Town on loan yesterday.
It’s also been reported that Arsenal right-back Jordan Osei-Tutu is expected to join Nottingham Forest, which could pave the wave for 22-year-old Jordan Gabriel to join Sunderland. or Blackpool
