Following a two-week international break and a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals, Cushing is ready for a quick response at the Academy Stadium.
City last faced Sunderland in a dramatic FA Cup quarter-final meeting at the end of March where we advanced into the next stage with goals in both injury and extra-time.
“We have another tough test on our hands,” Cushing explained. “Sunderland are scrapping and fighting for every point and they gave us a really good game in the FA Cup a few weeks ago.
“They scored twice to go in front and we had to battle to get back into the game before we eventually went on to progress.
“Games like that are really good preparation for the fight for the league title.”
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With just three days between our Super League clash and our Champions League semi-final first leg encounter with Lyon, the boss is hoping his side can control the game.
“This is a crucial game, sandwiched in between an FA Cup semi-final and a Champions League semi-final, and an opportunity for us to claw back three important points to go level with Chelsea.
“With another quick turnover, we’ve done all we can to freshen up the team after Sunday’s semi-final and put out a side who can get the job done, hopefully by controlling the game to a much better standard than was the case in South Shields.
“Every game is big now.
“We have to draw on all of our experience of playing every three days, making the right decisions on and off the pitch – both the players and staff – to ensure we have the best chances of picking up points or reaching another Final.”
Come along and support City at the Academy Stadium on Wednesday 18 April, kick-off at 7pm. Tickets: https://tickets.mancity.com.
