Sunderland Ladies given return date and face potential Manchester United glamour tie

The FA Cup was paused in January at the second round after the country went into its third lockdown, with all ‘non-elite’ football suspended as a result.

But after the recent announcement that the suspension will be lifted in a few weeks, the FA has rescheduled the first four rounds of the competition.

The Lady Black Cats will return to action on April 4, 2021 against Sheffield FC at home in the second round.

If Mel Reay’s side comes through that fixture, they will face Burnley or Fylde away in the third round on April 11.

If they win again, third-tier Sunderland Ladies could face a glamour tie against top-division Manchester United at home in the fourth round.

That tie will be played on April 18.

The draws for the third and fourth round FA Cup ties can be viewed in full here.

When it comes to the FA Women’s National League, however, Sunderland Ladies are no further forward in regards to a return date.

The FANWL have been in consultation with tier 3-6 clubs and have conducted a survey to gauge opinion before making a final decision on how the league will restart.

The FA Women’s Football Board will now be reviewing all feedback and information received ahead of a decision being made.

A FAWNL statement read: “The FA would like to thank all those who have fed into the consultation process thus far.

"It is anticipated that an update will be given by the FA in the week commencing Monday 15 March.”