Shrewsbury Town will be looking to cause a major shock when they travel to Sunderland in the second round of the English Football League Cup.

Bad league starts for both

It's been a rough start for both Sunderland and Shrewsbury in their respective league campaigns so far this season.

Under new manager David Moyes, Sunderland have played two in the Premier League and lost two, both by the score of 2-1 to Manchester City away and most recently, Middlesbrough at home.

Sunderland fans are already uneasy about their season due to the start they've made and the club's obvious struggles in the transfer market.

Moyes has endured a difficult start to life as Sunderland manager. (Picture: Getty Images)
Moyes has endured a difficult start to life as Sunderland manager. (Picture: Getty Images)

These factors along, with a growing injury list, have made it somewhat a baptisim of fire for Moyes on Wearside and he'll be hoping for a win and a few goals in this cup match to gain confidence heading into a trip to Southampton at the weekend.

Meanwhile Shrewsbury have had a similarly slow start two divisions down in League One, with just four points to their name from as many games leaving them 20th just one place above the relegation zone.

Micky Mellon's side do at least come into the occasion on the back of their first win of the season though, as they beat Chesterfield 2-1 this on Saturday, scoring their first league goals of the season in the process.

Shrews looking to carry on cup pedigree

Shrewsbury will not be too daunted by the challenge that faces them on Wearside, as they have recent form in knocking out teams higher than them in the football league pyramid.

Just two seasons ago they reached the quarter-finals of this competition as a League Two side before losing to eventual winners, Chelsea.

Shrewsbury have already eliminated higher-ranked opposition in this season's cup campaign. (Picture: Getty Images)
Shrewsbury have already eliminated higher-ranked opposition in this cup campaign. (Picture: Getty Images)

Mellon's team have already claimed another victim this season when they saw off Championship outfit Huddersfield Town 2-1 earlier this month, Louis Dodds grabbing a late winner in that home tie. They will hope to repeat the feat against Premier League opposition on Sunderland's home turf.

Team news

Sunderland's injury list got longer this week, with goalkeeper Vito Mannone injuring his elbow in training and potentially leaving him out for the long term with a fracture. Local-born goalkeeper Jordan Pickford will deputise.

John O'Shea (hamstring), Fabio Borini (toe) and Lamine Kone (back) were eithir removed from the squad or did not play in the Middlesbrough game for different reasons and will not retutn for this one. 

Meanwhile, Billy Jones (hip), Jan Kirchoff (hamstring), Lee Cattermole (hernia surgery) and Sebastian Larrson (knee) remain out long term for the Black Cats.

Midfielder Shaun Walley is the only absentee for Shrewsbury with a calf problem.

Stats

Sunderland have never lost to Shrewsbury in the eight league meetings they've had, all in the second tier between 1979 and 1989.

This is Shrewsbury's 31st consecutive league cup tie against higher ranked opposition, they've won five of their last seven, the execeptions being the two games against Premier League opposition.

Sunderland have only failed to make the third round of this competition in one of the last eight seasons, in which time they made it to the final in 2014.

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About the author
Jamie Joslyn
20 year old sports journalism at Sunderland University, huge Sunderland fan