Sunderland boss Lee JohnsonSunderland boss Lee Johnson
Sunderland boss Lee Johnson

This is the Sunderland XI Lee Johnson could turn to as Papa John's Trophy group stage comes to a close

It's a game you suspect both sides could probably do without, all things considered.

Like Sunderland, Bradford City have expectations of winning promotion from their division and the Papa John's Trophy is well down their list of priorities.

So much so, in fact, that two games have yielded no points and as such, they cannot qualify for the next round.

Sunderland are already through, thanks to two excellent performances from two very youthful sides.

It will be the same again at the Stadium of Light, with Lee Johnson likely to deploy only a handful of senior players.

There will be some minutes for those short of match fitness, and he will hope that a bright display can help to build some positive momentum ahead of the visit of Ipswich Town on Saturday week.

Though the league form is clearly the club's biggest priority at the moment, it's another chance for a promising group of U23 players to further underline the progress they are making.

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