Sunderland defender Luke O'Nien has issued a rousing message to supporters ahead of their crucial clash with Portsmouth this evening.

The Black Cats travel to Fratton Park with a 1-0 lead from their play-off semi-final first leg, courtesy of Chris Maguire. They're facing Pompey for the fifth time this season, although this is only their second trip to the south coast.

They lost 3-1 there in the league in December, but O'Nien believes that the familiarity between the sides means they're well equipped for the tie.

"They are a good team and we have played them lots of times this season, so we know what they are about," he told the Sunderland Echo.

"We are going to have to make sure that we are on it and I am sure if we do this, they won’t be able to handle us."

O'Nien, a summer capture from Wycombe Wanderers, has forced his way into the first XI at the Stadium of Light and he believes his teammates quality will be enough to see them back at Wembley, where he wants to put things right following the EFL Trophy defeat.

"The quality that we have in our team is massive and we have done our homework on them but we have to focus on ourselves so that we can do our job properly and hopefully that is enough to come away with a win.

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"It is our ambition to get back to Wembley and put things right after our last game [the Checkatrade Trophy final] and make sure we are on the end of the right result this time."

The Black Cats looked to be vying with Pompey for the top two places in the division when they were beaten just before Christmas, but some patchy form from both in 2019 saw them finish fourth and fifth, behind Luton, Barnsley and Charlton.

The Addicks are one of the sides that could await the victor tomorrow evening, with Doncaster the final side making up the four play-off qualifiers.

The Verdict

The EFL Trophy defeat will have hurt, but it won't be anything more than a distant memory if the Black Cats can get back to Wembley and win in the play-offs.

They need to keep it tight at the back as conceding could lead to them chasing the tie, but they've been strong up front all season and rarely draw a blank.

Getting an early goal will settle a few nerves and should see them through to the final.