Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is keeping his fingers crossed fatigue will not derail his hopes of cup success at the first hurdle.

The Black Cats manager will take his side to former club Norwich in the Carling Cup second round tonight intent upon progressing to the latter stages of both domestic knockout competitions this season.

Bruce has been charged with the task of establishing the Wearside club in the upper reaches of the Barclays Premier League this season after two flirtations with relegation since Roy Keane dragged them back into the top flight at the end of the 2006-07 term.

However, while he is realistic enough to know that it will take time to build for lasting success in the league, the cup competitions represent a genuine chance of glory.

He said: "It's practically impossible for us to try to win the Premier League, but the one thing we can do is win a cup competition.

"It's five, six games and you never know, the luck of the draw and all the rest of it...
"I am going to take that as seriously as I can."

That said, Bruce admitted after Saturday's 2-1 league win over Blackburn that he would have to make changes for the game at Carrow Road after a gruelling start to the new campaign for his players.

Tonight's game with be the fourth in 10 days for the bulk of his team, several of whom have also played for their countries during the week before the season got under way.

He has not been shy in voicing his disquiet over the busy early schedule, particularly with Blackburn not in action last midweek while Sunderland were being given the run-around by title contenders Chelsea.

The Black Cats went into Saturday's game with fitness doubts over keeper Marton Fulop and midfielders Lee Cattermole, Lorik Cana and Steed Malbranque, and although all four played, Fulop in particular struggled.

Asked about the injury situation immediately after the game, Bruce replied: "We have got hundreds, hundreds. I wouldn't know where to start, to be honest.

"But I will have to make changes on Monday because we have played four games, if you have played an international, in nine days, which is totally ridiculous at the start of the season.

"We have got a few tired bodies, but we will go from there."

Nyron Nosworthy, who was used as a second-half substitute at the weekend, could get his chance, while summer signing Paul da Silva may also be included after his delayed arrival in England.

Keeper Craig Gordon has been on the bench for the opening three games of the season, but Bruce admits he could still be a week away from full match fitness.