Bramble starts in East London.

Titus Bramble has been handed his first start of the season as Sunderland face West Ham.

The defender, who came on as a substitute during the draw against Liverpool last time out, replaces the injured Carlos Cuellar in central defence.

Sunderland are otherwise unchanged with Adam Johnson again missing.

Meanwhile Connor Wickham and David Vaughan return to the squad, with both taking places on the bench.

Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, Rose, O'Shea, Bramble, Cattermole ©, Colback, McClean, Larsson, Sessegnon, Fletcher.

Subs: Campbell, Wickham, Kilgallon, Vaughan, Meyler, Saha, Westwood.

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Reid, Nolan ©, Cole, Vaz Te, Taylor, Noble, O'Brien, Collins, Demel, Diame.

Subs: McCartney, Tomkins, Jarvis, Maiga, Benayoun, O'Neil, Henderson.