Phil Parkinson has hinted at making a number of changes as attention turns to the EFL Trophy clash with Leicester City U23s on Tuesday.

Sunderland are in the middle of a hectic period having played four games in the two weeks since the former Bolton boss took over.

While League One football is set to take a back seat for the coming two weeks, the Black Cats’ schedule is still jam-packed with an FA Cup first round clash against Gillingham coming up this weekend.

But with a clash against the young Foxes next for Parkinson’s side, he’s hinted that he’ll be looking to use the depth of his squad to their full potential.

Speaking to the press, as reported by the Sunderland Echo, Parkinson said: “There are players now like Dylan McGeouch, for instance, who has been unlucky not to get a chance.

“The lads who played Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday that has been a tough week for the lads involved with the travelling etc.

“So we want to use the opportunity to give the lads a game.

“The priority is the league, we know that but when we come through the next batch of games then I will have a better understanding of the squad as a whole.”

The Verdict

The fixture list shows little sign of easing as Sunderland move into the hectic winter schedule.

While the opportunity to progress in the EFL Trophy and  the FA Cup are certainly appealing to everyone involved, it’s worth remembering that this season is about one thing, and one thing only; promotion.

It’s going to be a long, hard season for the Black Cats and if Phil Parkinson can not only rest some of his star players, but hand valuable minutes to his fringe players, then it could do the Black Cats the world of good as the League One campaign unfolds.