Sunderland are through to the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Sunderland legend Kevin Phillips has suggested that the Black Cats have a “great opportunity” to go far in this season’s FA Cup after the draw for the fifth round of the competition was confirmed earlier this week.

Regis Le Bris’ men saw off Oxford United in a 1-0 victory on Sunday afternoon, and have been rewarded for their efforts with an away trip to either Port Vale or Bristol City next month.

And with his former club now just two games away from Wembley - and with a guaranteed meeting against lower league opposition in the last 16 to come - Phillips has claimed that Sunderland now have a real chance of putting together a memorable cup run.

What has Kevin Phillips said about Sunderland’s FA Cup chances?

Speaking exclusively to The Echo, courtesy of BestBettingSites, he said: “I watched them on Sunday away at Oxford, and it was basically job done. He [Le Bris] made a few changes, which I’m pleased he did because they’re clearly safe in the Premier League. It’s a great opportunity for them to have a good cup run. I’d have been disappointed if he’d put a really under-strength side out.

“Delighted they got through. Would have liked a home tie, but whoever they play, Port Vale or Bristol City, it’s every opportunity of getting another result on the road. If they do, who knows how far they can go? The Sunderland fans would have liked to have seen them play at home, but if you’re going to get to the final, you’ve got to do it the hard way.

“Then, you have to go away and win at places like Oxford, Bristol City, or Port Vale. So, delighted they’re still in the hat, but they’ve got a great opportunity. And I’m sure, come the tie, they’ll go very strong again because they’ll see it as a great opportunity.”

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What did else has been said about Sunderland’s FA Cup draw?

Elsewhere, speaking about Sunderland’s draw on BBC Radio Newcastle’s Total Sport, ex-forward Marco Gabbiadini said: “I think they [Sunderland] would be very happy with that, wouldn't they? I mean, there was a lot of Premier League teams in there, as you'd expect. And to avoid them...

“Well, this is a good year for Sunderland. After what we've achieved in that first half of the season, an FA Cup run, or carrying on in the FA Cup, is ideal, isn't it? It's an opportunity to reward the fans for their loyalty over the last few years, and it's not a bad draw, is it? You would expect us to put out a decent team for the chance of getting into the sixth round.”

Assessing both Port Vale, who currently sit bottom of League One, and Bristol City, Gabbiadini continued: “Talk about having nothing, or not much, to fight for [in Port Vale’s case]. Sometimes they are the worst scenarios.

“I mean, Bristol City are such a nearly team, aren't they? They keep having a go at getting up to the Premier League, just can't quite manage it, and falling back for a couple of years, then picking up again. You know, you've got to fancy Sunderland against either of those sides, to be fair.”

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