McAllister explains how Cats are approaching Port Vale selection

Sunderland are set to make a number of changes for their Papa John's Trophy clash with Port Vale this evening.

The Black Cats will book a place in the quarter-final of the competition with a win, and it's a tournament that Lee Johnson has said he wants to win this season.

Nevertheless, the game will give Johnson and his coaching staff a chance to get a better look at a number of players who have had little gametime in recent weeks.

In the last round, Johnson made a strong side at Oldham Athletic as he looked to build some early momentum and cement some key principles with his first-choice players.

Assistant head coach Jamie McAllister has said the approach will be slightly different this time around, but stressed that the squad names would be strong enough to secure a result. "I think it's an important competition for us and it's a game we're going in to win,” McAllister said.

"It's going to give some of the lads who've been on the fringes and not had a lot of game time an opportunity to play and to stake a claim. The depth and quality we've got in the squad, the lads who come in are more than capable. We're excited to see them play and it's a great opportunity for them."

Jordan Willis is set to return after illness, with both Dion Sanderson and new signing Carl Winchester cup tied.

The Black Cats are assessing Lee Burge after his eye injury at the weekend, and McAllister confirmed that there could some U23 players named in the squad.

Elliot Embleton is expected to start after impressing Johnson in training of late.

"Elliot Embleton, Dan Neil, a few of the lads have obviously been around the squad as well," McAllister said.

"Oliver Younger was in the squad on Saturday and we've had Mitchell Curry in the squad previously. Josh Hawkes has been doing well, so we've had a few of them in and around it. It's a game we want to win and we feel we've got the balance right in terms of both the starting XI and the bench."

*Lee Johnson is considering a loan move for promising Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil this month. Neil is one fringe player who could be allowed out on loan in order to bolster his development.

Johnson said: “It's the ones like Dan Neil who you look at, who I really like, but you look at his chances which might be limited between now and the end of the season. Only for our long-term future, and his, because he's a player I like."