The draw for the next round of the Checkatrade Trophy was made this afternoon, and Sunderland have been handed a home tie at the Stadium of Light against League Two side Notts County.
The Magpies, who are currently managerless, sit third bottom of the fourth tier and have veteran former Sunderland derby hero David Vaughan on their books, so provided he’s fit he should return back to Wearside for what is likely to be the final time.
Sunderland topped their group after a series of games in which they managed to stay unbeaten. The first tie, at the Stadium of Light against Stoke City U21s, finished 0-0 but was ‘won’ on penalties after a shoot-out was used to decide a bonus point.
The second game, again at home and against League Two Carlisle United, resulted in a 3-1 victory thanks to a debut goal from Benji Kimpioka, Ethan Robson’s first for the club and a close range finish from captain George Honeyman.
The final group game was played on this past Tuesday night, a 1-0 win achieved thanks to a last-gasp Josh Maja goal against a Morecambe side who had already been eliminated from the tournament.