Preston reached the fifth round last year but know Sunderland will be a tough proposition as they have improved leaps and bounds under the management of Roy Keane.
Preston will be without Tommy Miller as he is on loan from Sunderland. This leaves a gap in midfield with Mckenna set to come back in after injury. Whaley may also be asked to play after injury meaning competition in midfield with Davidson playing well in the last couple of games.
Dichio is still serving a suspension so Nugent and Ormerod are set to start up front. The most likely change will be Kelvin Wilson coming in at the back for youngster Sean St Ledger.
Simpson will be looking for a run to help with league form which has been poor of late.