Sunderland's European campaign has given them unexpected Carabao Cup opportunity

Their participation in European football this season means Sunderland have entered the competition at the third round, making it the furthest they've been since their run to the quarter-finals in 2021/22.

They were a League One side back then and were dumped out of the competition by Arsenal, beaten 5-1 at the Emirates Stadium. Had you told any Sunderland fans that five years later they'd be where they are now, you would have been laughed at.

A win would put them in the last 16 of the competition, a feat they've not managed in five years, and back then, they needed to win four games to reach that stage after entering the competition in the first round.

The Black Cats defeated Port Vale, Blackpool, Wigan and Queens Park Rangers en route to that quarter-final clash with the Gunners.

It's fair to say Sunderland have not fared well in the competition since that season. Though they've progressed up the leagues, the Carabao Cup has not been a priority.

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They've suffered defeats in the first round they've participated in for the last four seasons, losing to Sheffield Wednesday, Crewe Alexandra, Preston North End and Huddersfield Town.

On Tuesday night, Hull City travel to the Stadium of Light looking to carry on their impressive start to the season. The Tigers are unbeaten on their return to the Premier League and haven't conceded a goal yet since the new campaign got underway.

Regis Le Bris' side will fancy their chances against the Tigers, with both teams expected to rotate their squads heavily.

For the Black Cats, it'll present the likes of Dayann Methalie, Jules Ahoka and Malick Fofana with an opportunity to show their new fanbase what they're all about.

The latter of the trio came off the bench during the recent draw with Brentford, while the other two have had to bide their time as they get accustomed to English football.

The Carabao Cup tie is the first real glimpse supporters will get of the depth Sunderland has in their squad, ahead of a campaign that will push them to their limits.

Sunderland's transfer promise was to add quality, rather than quantity, this summer, and they have a real opportunity to go on a good cup run. Tuesday's game will be a good acid test of that summer recruitment.

The Wearsiders are riding the crest of a wave of positivity, and a win over the Tigers would keep that feel-good factor around. In the same breath, it won't derail their season.

If Le Bris does rotate heavily, he needs those who find themselves on the fringes to step up and give him a real selection headache moving forward.

Sure, they'll need the luck of the draw along the way and nobody is expecting them to win the Carabao Cup outright, but they should take encouragement from Crystal Palace's FA Cup win and European endeavours in recent seasons.

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