Sunderland rocked by injury crisis ahead of Gillingham FA Cup replay

First choice centre-back pairing Joel Lynch and Jordan Willis will both miss the game while George Dobson will also be missing, he is being rested with a ongoing issue but is expected to be fit for the Coventry City clash on Saturday afternoon at the Stadium of Light.

Parkinson said: “Quite a few of the lads are not going to make the Gillingham game.

“Lynchy has had an injection in his back, Jordan Willis in his knee they won’t make it. George Dobson will be rested with an ongoing problem, he should be okay for the weekend.

“So with the lads away on international duty, add that to Wykey and Goochy and one or two others, the youngsters will get the opportunity to be on the trip tomorrow and that is great for them.

“We are taking seven or eight with us, defensively we are short, so the likes of Brandon Taylor and Jack Bainbridge are included

“I am looking forward to seeing the ones who play and might get on from the bench.”

On the game, Parkinson said: “We hoped to get the tie done and dusted in the first tie, we are now down there tomorrow night. It is a game we are looking to win and get into round two."

Sunderland are making the 600-mile round-trip after the first tie ended 1-1 at home.