Sunderland are hoping to book a place in the quarter finals of the FA Cup on Sunday

Régis Le Bris has made two changes to his Sunderland side to face Port Vale in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday lunchtime.

Though injuries and suspensions (Trai Hume, Noah Sadiki) mean he is operating with a threadbare squad and a number of U21 players on the bench, the Sunderland head coach has stuck to his work to select the strongest XI possible. Omar Alderete makes his first appearance in the competition at heart of the defence alongside Dan Ballard.

Sunderland have opted to take a cautious approach with Granit Xhaka, with the influential midfielder named on the bench. It’s understood that there is no setback or new injury concern with the 33-year-old, but they are managing his game time after a hectic week and with concerns over a Vale Park pitch in poor condition.

Le Bris had heavily hinted at this decision in his pre-match press conference on Friday, saying: “He didn't start at Leeds, which means something.

“For Port Vale, it will probably be the same idea. We'll manage according to the game time and the pitch. We'll see.”

Habib Diarra looks set to play in a slightly deeper midfield role in Xhaka’s absence, with Chris Rigg coming into the starting XI. Lutsharel Geertruida shifts to right back, with Luke O’Nien then moving across to left back. Le Bris’s biggest call was as to who he picks up front, and the head coach has handed Eliezer Mayenda his third start of the week ahead of Wilson Isidor.

Sunderland XI: Ellborg; Geertruida, Ballard, Alderete, O’Nien; Diarra, Le Fee, Rigg; Angulo, Talbi, Mayenda

Subs: Moore, Geragusian, Harrison Jones, Whittaker, Jenson Jones, Abdullahi, Xhaka, Isidor, Aleksic

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Why Sunderland’s lengthy injury list will start to improve after Port Vale clash

While Le Bris has a threadbare squad here at Port Vale, the longer-term picture is actually starting to improve.

Trai Hume and Noah Sadiki will of course be available to face Brighton next weekend after serving a competition-specific suspension today, while Brian Brobbey also should be available after resuming running on Friday. While that game could come too soon for Nordi Mukiele, Dennis Cirkin and Reinildo, all are expected to be back to face Newcastle United a week later. Sunderland also hope Robin Roefs will be fit to feature in that game, though they will have to continue monitoring his hamstring injury.

“With Bertrand Traore the date is not completed exactly, but it might be a long injury,” Le Bris said on Friday.

“We're still deciding whether it is surgery or a more conservative treatment, we don't know this yet. But yes, he will be without for a while, I think so. Brian trained this morning - he won't be available for Port Vale, but next week he should be okay.

“Rei should run on the grass this weekend, which is good as well. He's so close to being back with the squad. Everything is going well. Nordi will probably run next week as well. They are in the bracket to be available around Brighton or Newcastle. Dennis, same idea. He ran last week and it was still a bit painful, but not too much, which is normal. It's a symptom-based and we still have to adapt the rehabilitation programme according to what he feels, but he's in a good place."

Your next Sunderland read: Follow live updates from Vale Park as Sunderland bid for FA Cup fifth round success