The Black Cats will take on the Magpies – albeit their Under-21s side – in the competition at the Stadium of Light early next year.
Sunderland manager Jack Ross has claimed that the prospect of facing Newcastle United’s Under-21s in the Checkatrade Trophy is “not ideal”.
The Black Cats finished top of their group ahead of Stoke U21s, Carlisle and Morecambe, before beating Notts County in the second round.
Newcastle U21s also topped the standings in their group, winning all their games, and then overcame Macclesfield on penalties to reach the last 16.
The draw took place at 12:20pm on Saturday afternoon and ended up putting together arguably the most exciting tie it could have produced.
Much like the derby between Stoke and Port Vale in the previous round, this will be a clash between bitter local rivals, albeit with one fielding an academy side.
Rather than focusing on the rivalry element of it, Ross was more concerned about the concept of playing an academy team, though nonetheless pledged to give his best.
“As I said previously, not just Newcastle, I don’t think any U21 side is an ideal draw for a senior team,” Ross told the Sunderland Echo.
“But it is what it is. We’ve treated the competition properly and we will do the same, we want to progress in it. “
Speaking prior to the draw, Ross had expressed his reservations, telling the same outlet: “It would be an unusual set of circumstances. There’s a different dynamic when you have a derby match and it’s one first team and one U21s.
“It’s not ideal, I think everyone would appreciate that at any derby throughout the country.”
The game, set to take place during the week beginning on the 7 January, will be the first competitive meeting between the two clubs since a 1-1 Premier League draw in March 2016.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
