Sunderland will 'not enjoy' Cup tie at Vale - Gray

Port Vale striker Andre Gray has said Premier League Sunderland are "not going to enjoy" being at Vale Park for Sunday's FA Cup fifth round tie.

The 34-year-old's assist set up the winning goal on Tuesday night as League One Vale beat Championship side Bristol City in extra-time to set up a meeting with the top-flight Black Cats.

Vale, who were semi-finalists in 1954, last reached this stage of the competition in 1996.

"They're not going to enjoy being here and playing against a League One team," Gray told BBC Radio Stoke.

"We've got to use that to our advantage."

Vale are destined for relegation from League One, bottom of the table and 11 points from safety but their FA Cup run has provided a bright spot for their season.

Gray, who played in the 2019 FA Cup final for Watford, hopes his experience can help add to a famous day on Sunday.

"I've been there and done it but it's still a big occasion and you want to play as high a level as you can for as long as you can," he said.

"It's a completely different level. You think you're strong, you think you're fast, you think you're smart - and then you come up against these top teams.

"But the reason we love the game is for giant killings and it's possible."

Gray joined Vale at the start of February, having experienced both cup runs and relegation fights in his long career.

"I've been in both situations before," he said.

"The atmosphere in the dressing has been good and we've got to take it day by day with the amount of games we've had.

"But the occasion of Sunday, everything else gets forgotten.

"They'll be a carnival atmosphere and the stadium will be bouncing and that's what we play for."