SAM Long is relishing the chance to upset half his family when Oxford United face Sunderland tonight.

The stakes are already high for the Carabao Cup clash, where the prize is a place in the quarter-finals.

But for Long, who scored his first United goal since January 2015 on Saturday, it carries extra significance.

Despite growing up in Bicester, the defender is a Black Cats fan and will have relatives in both the home and away sections of the Kassam Stadium.

He said: “My mum’s side of the family are from Sunderland and are massive fans, so as a kid I was brainwashed.

“I’ll have quite a few family members at the game.

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“It’s the first time I will have played them at any level, so it will be a nice occasion for me.

“I’ll always be a Sunderland fan, but I’ve got a job to do.

“They’ve inflicted so much pain on me over the years I’m looking forward to inflicting a bit on them.”

United reached the fourth round for the first time in 22 years thanks to a 4-0 rout of Premier League side West Ham United last month.

Alex Gorrin was among those rested that night, but the midfielder is hoping this time he gets the nod.

He said: “The gaffer makes his own decisions and I always love to play.

“That West Ham game was really enjoyable.

“I was with a couple of the boys and we were just jumping around when the goals went in.

“It was a different feeling to when you’re on the pitch, but I was very happy with the boys.

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“This is a cup game with a big crowd against a good team. I’m just excited.”

Long is expected to replace Chris Cadden, although the Scot’s hamstring injury is only minor.

United have concerns over Cameron Brannagan, but the visitors have their own problems, with Chris Maguire suspended.

Long said: “He (Maguire) was a key player in our promotion-winning season (2015/16).

“The Sunderland fans have taken to him and he’s scored some important goals.

“It will be a blow for them, but we’re just concentrating on what we need to do.”

Sunderland will be without goalkeeper Lee Burge, who came off with a hip problem in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Shrewsbury Town.

Lynden Gooch, who scored in the 1-1 draw against United on the opening day of the season, is also sidelined, along with Charlie Wyke.

TONIGHT’S LINE-UPS

Oxford Utd: from Eastwood, Long, Dickie, Moore, Ruffels, Gorrin, Baptiste, Henry, Forde, Taylor, Fosu, Mackie, Agyei, Hall, Sykes, Mousinho, Cadden, Stevens.

Sunderland: from J McLaughlin, C McLaughlin, Flanagan Willis, Hume, McGeouch, Leadbitter, O’Nien, McNulty, McGeady, Kimpioka, Grigg, Power, Dobson, Watmore, Lynch, Patterson.

  • BANBURY United will have a long trip north if they win their Buildbase FA Trophy replay tonight.

The winners of the tie with AFC Rushden & Diamonds travel to Stalybridge Celtic or South Shields in the second qualifying round.

Elsewhere, Oxford City visit Dorking Wanderers this evening in the Vanarama National League South.