Sunderland take on QPR in the third round of the EFL Cup.
Sunderland midfielder Jan Kirchhoff believes their cup tie with QPR can help the Black Cats get back on track.
Speaking to safc.com, the German midfielder thinks the EFL Cup match can help their preparations for their next Premier League game as he continues his return to full fitness.
“It’s a cup game so it’s all about winning and hopefully we can do that to get ourselves prepared for Saturday’s game against Crystal Palace,” said Kirchhoff on safc.com.
“It’s a good chance to get back on track and it’s a game where we can control the ball and have a little bit more possession.”
So far this season Sunderland’s only win has came in the EFL Cup, beating Shrewsbury in the previous round thanks to a late goal from Adnan Januzaj, who will miss the game at QPR through suspension.
The Black Cats were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday but took more hope from the performance than their display against Everton in the previous match, which saw them lose 3-0.
David Moyes’ side will also be without Jermain Defoe for the cup game at Loftus Road, meaning Sunderland will need to look elsewhere for goals if they are to advance to the next stage of the competition.
A cup run could be beneficial for Sunderland as a way of building up confidence and create a winning mentality, which is what happened in 2014 when Gus Poyet’s Sunderland team reached the League Cup final and eventually completed the great escape and maintained their Premier League status.
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