LEE Johnson praised his confident Sunderland side for overcoming their ‘biggest test’ of the season so far.

The Black Cats sealed a place in the last eight of the Carabao Cup thanks to a 3-1 penalty shootout win over Championship side Queens Park Rangers. The game finished goalless on the night at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.

Despite the fact that a number of first team players are struggling for fitness following recent injury, the Wearside outfit managed to overcome the Championship side for a place in the quarter finals.

“I think this was going to be our biggest test to date this season.

“You’ve got to remember the likes of Dan Neil, who’s 13 or 14 games into his professional career, and performed really well.

“Dennis (Cirkin) is the same, Callum (Doyle) comes on, (Frederik) Alves. Some really experienced strikers they are going against.

“I just really wanted the lads to believe a little bit more in the second half and we really did show that. Dennis started manipulating the ball, Winny (Carl Winchester) started manipulating the ball like we know he can, we started breaking the lines.

“Pritch (Alex Pritchard) comes on, Geads (Aiden McGeady) comes on, Bris (Aiden O’Brien) comes on and gives us a bit of energy. We tidied up really well in the second half and that was important against their very good frenzying press.”

The draw for the last eight will be made on Saturday 30th October with the draw taking place at around 10:30am on Sky Sports programme Soccer AM.