Last Word on Football brings you the latest team news and the confirmed lineups for Port Vale vs Sunderland at Vale Park this afternoon. Kickoff 13:30, GMT. The FA Cup has drawn League One’s bottom club against Premier League Sunderland. The Valliants are fighting for their lives in the league, but the cup has been a welcome distraction. The Black Cats all but secured their Premier League status for next season following the victory at Leeds in midweek, and a cup run to the latter stages is definitely on the cards.

Read More: Port Vale vs Sunderland, Predicted Lineups

FA Cup Fifth Round: Port Vale vs Sunderland, Team News and Confirmed Lineups
Port Vale Team News

Manager Jon Brady has no new injury worries and is set to keep faith in the squad that got them to this game, thanks to their heroics in midweek. Ahead of the game, Brady said that his squad is one of the best he has worked with. “I’ve had some groups, I’ve managed over 500 games in my time and no matter how this goes from now to the end of the season this is one of the best groups I’ve ever had.

“It’s incredible, they’ve worked so hard for each other they’re so connected to each other. We’re doing something in the moment, they’re finding out each other’s stories through their journey in life and it’s really connecting them. It’s very special.”

Sunderland Team News

The Black Cats have ten first-team squad members missing today. These are Trai Hume and Noah Sadiki, who are suspended, while the following are out injured. Bertrand Traore (knee), Robin Roefs (hamstring), Nordi Mukiele (calf), Brian Brobbey (groin), Dennis Cirkin (hamstring), Reinildo (knee), Romain Mundle (hamstring), and Jocelin Ta Bi (ankle).

Read More: The Greatest Footballers of All Time, Part One: Pre World War One

Port Vale Confirmed Lineup

Gauci
Hall
Gabriel
Brown
Archer
Walters
Ojo
Gordon
Waine
John
Humphreys

Subs: Amos, Headley, Shipley, Campbell, Ward, Hall, Magloire, Gray, Hernandez

Sunderland Confirmed Lineup

Ellborg
O’Nien
Ballard
Alderete
Geertruida
Rigg
Le Fee
Diarra
Talbi
Angulo
Mayenda

Subs: Moore, J.Jones, Xhaka, Whittaker, Aleksic, H.Jones, Isidor, Geragusian, Abdullahi

Featured image courtesy of SmartFrame & Luke Williams/Every Second Media