Fulham must adapt to Cup regime change as Silva has to sit it out

Touchline ban for boss adds extra jeopardy to Sunderland replay

- Dom Smith

SUNDERLAND v FULHAM (7.45pm, BBC1) 

FULHAM will tonight be without their most-prized asset when they visit Sunderland for their FA Cup fourthround replay.

Manager Marco Silva will have to watch from the stands, after he picked up his fourth yellow card of the season in Friday's 0-0 draw with Chelsea, earning him a touchline ban.

Fulham have been the Premier League's surprise package this season, particularly when milking their role as the underdogs against the more fancied sides. However, Championship side Sunderland played that part at Craven Cottage a fortnight ago, coming away with a draw.

The Cottagers will be hoping not to allow Sunderland to beat them at their own game again, but Silva's absence from the dugout leaves a significant hole, and for his players it will be an eerie experience not hearing him bark tactical instructions from the sidelines.

Silva said: "Of course, it's a blow, it's not a good thing. It will be really strange, but I have to respect it, even if it will not be good for me or our players.