Jack Bainbridge and Brandon Taylor are in line to feature for Phil Parkinson’s Black Cats in an FA Cup replay with League One rivals Gillingham.
Phil Parkinson is set to give youth a chance during Sunderland’s FA Cup first round replay against Gillingham, telling the club’s official website that Jack Bainbridge and Brandon Taylor are in contention to feature.
It seems like that 5-0 thrashing of Tranmere Rovers, the Black Cats’ biggest league win in 12 years, was a false dawn after all. Because Sunderland have come crashing back to earth after that short-lived ‘new manager bounce’ with the North East giants winning just once in their last six games.
That has left Parkinson scrambling around for a winning formula with his first-team regulars struggling for form in the league and his back-up options suffering humiliating defeats to Scunthorpe and Leicester City’s reserves in the EFL Trophy.
A dreadful run of results has put extra pressure on an FA Cup replay away at third-tier rivals Gillingham on Tuesday night. And, with both Jordan Willis and Joel Lynch ruled out through injury, Sunderland could travel to Priestfield with a very youthful centre-back partnership.
21-year-old Taylor has started a senior game for the Black Cats but, according to Parkinson, he is in line to make his first appearance since a cup clash with Morecambe a year ago. Southport-born Bainbridge (below) could feature from the off too after 19 months out of the starting XI.
“The likes of Brandon Taylor (bottom) and Jack Bainbridge are included, and I am looking forward to seeing them tomorrow,” said the 51-year-old.
The FA Cup obviously isn’t a priority for Sunderland this season but a much-needed win tonight would give Parkinson’s struggling side a vital boost of confidence heading into a hectic festive schedule.
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