Sunderland must take the Checkatrade Trophy seriously

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Sunderland secured a place in the knockout stages of the Checkatrade Trophy in midweek.

Sunderland beat League Two Morecambe in the Checkatrade Trophy in midweek, grabbing a late winner to ensure a 1-0 victory which secured a place in the knockout stages of the competition.

Talisman Josh Maja was the man who grabbed the goal in the end and the performance was impressive considering Jack Ross named an extremely young and inexperienced side.

The Black Cats have been drawn away to Notts County in the last 32 and a trip to Wembley with the chance of some silverware is a real possibility – but Ross must ensure he fields a stronger side to give his side the chance of the trophy.

The rules of the competition, which Sunderland’s first-team have played in this term so far, mean Ross has to field at least four members of his side which would usually feature in a League One match.

But the Scot fielded four of Sunderland’s young players on Tuesday night at the Globe Arena, with Jack Diamond, Jack Bainbridge, Jordan Hunter and Jake Hackett all featuring.

Fringe first-team squad members Robbin Ruiter, Luke O’Nien, Alim Ozturk and Glenn Loovens all play – but going into the knockout stages, Sunderland have a real chance of success in this competition and a stronger side should be considered by the former St Mirren boss.

The Black Cats’ last trip to Wembley came back in 2014 in the League Cup against Manchester City, but their last piece of domestic silverware came back in 1973 – when Sunderland beat Leeds United to win the FA Cup.

And despite the Checkatrade competition being one which some fans may see as potentially lacklustre, the trophy is still a legitimate one and success would be huge, especially in the first year of new owner Stewart Donald’s tenure.