Gus Poyet has hinted that he may rotate his Sunderland squad for the FA Cup quarter-final with Hull City on Sunday ahead of 'the biggest game of their season'.
The Capital One Cup finalists, who are currently one point adrift of Premier League safety, face relegation rivals Crystal Palace next weekend.
Considering that they have already enjoyed a run to Wembley this season, Poyet has insisted that the match with Palace must take priority over their trip to Hull as the Black Cats aim to avoid the drop.
Asked if he would be too disappointed to miss out on the FA Cup semi-finals, he told reporters: "It's a good question, but I haven't even thought about it.
"I know Palace is a massive game, I can confirm that. I think it's bigger than any game we have played so far, including the Cup final. Now this one is Hull and it's a week after, Palace, so it's not like it's two days after. We are going to use the squad the best we can and try to win the game.
"But there are a few games from now on and the position we are in the league, they become massive and Crystal Palace is the first one of them."
Sunderland lost 3-1 to Manchester City in the League Cup final at Wembley last weekend.
Joe Fish
