O´Neill plots knockout adventure

Martin O’Neill has targeted an extended run in the FA Cup ahead of Sunderland’s trip to Bolton in the third round on Saturday.

This season marks 40 years since Sunderland last won the competition, while they reached the quarter-finals under the Northern Irishman last term.

And O’Neill has revealed he intends for his team to go as far as they can in this year’s competition, in the hope a Cup run provides a much-needed morale boost following some mixed form in the league.

“Last season we got through to the quarter finals, which was the furthest the club has been in the competition for some time,” O’Neill told the club’s official website.

“We certainly want to emulate that, so whatever side we put out tomorrow we want to compete. This is a competition we want to do well in.

“A win in the cup can give your season a bit of momentum. It’s a good boost to the confidence.”

O’Neill is wary of the threat posed by Bolton side, although his team will be encourgaed by the fact they have won their last three trips to the Reebok Stadium.

“Bolton are a good side,” he said.

“They were relegated at the very end of the season and didn’t stop fighting.

“Tomorrow they have got very little to lose, they can play with freedom and we’ve got to go there and be on guard against that.”