These are the changes our writers would make to the Sunderland XI for the FA Cup action

Changes are inevitable, with Phil Parkinson confirming that a number of senior players will sit out the contest with minor injuries.

Denver Hume, Luke O'Nien, Lynden Gooch and Josh Scowen will all be rested, giving Parkinson the chance to reshuffle his pack and hopefully boost the competition for places in the weeks ahead.

So who will get the nod?

Here, our writers have their say...

PHIL SMITH

This is a natural opportunity to freshen the side up and keep things competitive within the squad, but it's also the FA Cup.

It's a competition Sunderland should always attack and to that end, there should still be a very strong XI named for Mansfield's visit.

Take into account as well that Sunderland have already qualified for the next round of the Papa John's Trophy, and so wholesale changes can be made for that one without consequence.

Parkinson vowed to give an opportunity to youngsters, and the injury list he is facing means there is an obvious opportunity to give Jack Diamond the chance to build on his mature and encouraging display at Swindon Town a couple of weeks back.

Elsewhere, there are senior midfielders and strikers in need of minutes, offering the chance to build some momentum and confidence.

My biggest hope for the next two games, though, is that we see Dan Neil and Elliot Embleton share the bulk of the minutes between them.

Sunderland will have to tread carefully with Embleton after a long absence, but his return is genuinely exciting.

I really do think he can help bring out the best in Will Grigg. Goals for the Northern Irishman will be top of most people's wishlist for these next two games.

Sunderland XI: Matthews; McLaughlin, Sanderson, Flanagan; Diamond, Dobson, Power, McFadzean, Neil; Grigg, Graham

MARK DONNELLY

While this game was always likely to bring some changes in personnel, the injuries which Phil Parkinson revealed yesterday may mean his hand is forced more than first expected.

For while I expect changes to the side, I don't think they'll be as sweeping as many may have thought.

After all, Parkinson will have another chance to rotate his side for the Papa John's Trophy game with Fleetwood on Tuesday.

So I'd stick with some key players - particularly at the back, where options are sparse.

Dion Sanderson could well be handed an opportunity to impress though, while we may also get an opportunity to see Callum McFadzean for the first time.

On the opposite flank, it would be a shock if Jack Diamond is not involved - and it would be nice to see Dan Neil given a shot, too.

And up top, why not go for Grigg and Graham? If you're ever going to experiment, now is the time.

Others, such as Aiden O'Brien and George Dobson, could be in-line for an opportunity as the game progresses too.

Sunderland XI: Burge; Sanderson, Wright, Flanagan; Diamond, McFadzean, Leadbitter, Power; Neil; Grigg, Graham

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