Iain Dowie takes his rejuvenated Crystal Palace side to The Stadium of Light aware that if they can avoid defeat an unexpected trip to Cardiff awaits.
The former Northern Ireland international has taken Palace from the threat of Nationwide Division Two to a potential top-flight return during his brief tenure at Selhurst Park - in what has been a meteoric management career.
However, the game is finely poised, Palace lead the tie virtue of a late Andy Johnson strike but the cacophony of noise likely to greet the London club could tip the balance in Sunderland's favour.
Mick McCarthy looks to have no fresh injury doubts and should able to choose from his first-leg squad, with experienced Irish midfielder Jason McAteer expected to be declared fit to play.
The boisterous Scouser has been struggling with a groin injury, he was substituted at half-time in the first leg, but McCarthy expects him to make the game.
Sean Thornton is on standby to deputise.
However, McCarthy's squad is somewhat patched-up and whether it will be able to overcome a Palace side brimming with confident and exuberance bred from good form, remains a pertinent question.
Darren Byfield, Julio Arca, Paul Thirlwell, Stephen Wright and Matt Piper are all major casualties and will be sorely missed, as The Black Cats bid for an immediate return to The Premiership.
Meanwhile, Dowie is expected to name an unchanged side from that which secured a 3-2 first-leg lead.
Defender Darren Powell made a late appearance for Palace on Friday but is still unlikely to start for The Eagles.
The former Northern Ireland international has taken Palace from the threat of Nationwide Division Two to a potential top-flight return during his brief tenure at Selhurst Park - in what has been a meteoric management career.
However, the game is finely poised, Palace lead the tie virtue of a late Andy Johnson strike but the cacophony of noise likely to greet the London club could tip the balance in Sunderland's favour.
Mick McCarthy looks to have no fresh injury doubts and should able to choose from his first-leg squad, with experienced Irish midfielder Jason McAteer expected to be declared fit to play.
The boisterous Scouser has been struggling with a groin injury, he was substituted at half-time in the first leg, but McCarthy expects him to make the game.
Sean Thornton is on standby to deputise.
However, McCarthy's squad is somewhat patched-up and whether it will be able to overcome a Palace side brimming with confident and exuberance bred from good form, remains a pertinent question.
Darren Byfield, Julio Arca, Paul Thirlwell, Stephen Wright and Matt Piper are all major casualties and will be sorely missed, as The Black Cats bid for an immediate return to The Premiership.
Meanwhile, Dowie is expected to name an unchanged side from that which secured a 3-2 first-leg lead.
Defender Darren Powell made a late appearance for Palace on Friday but is still unlikely to start for The Eagles.
