Elliott Dickman has selected a strong side for today's under-23 clash against Liverpool (KO 12noon).
First-team stopper Mika starts at the Stadium of Light while Elliot Embleton is also included after making his senior debut at Wolves on Saturday.
Tom Beadling and Joel Asoro, who were both unused substitutes at Molineux, feature against the Reds, as Rees Greenwood aims to build on an impressive showing and two-goal haul last time out.
And there's also a start for Josh Maja as he continues to build on his fitness.
Sunderland: Mika, J Robson, Hume, Beadling, Taylor, Storey, Asoro, E Robson, Maja, Embleton, Greenwood.
Subs: Brotherton, Talbot, Allan, Gamble, Bale.
Liverpool: Grabara, Virtue, Johnston, Jones, Whelan, Brannagan, Wilson, Kane, Brewster, Woodburn, Dhanda.
Subs: Alves, Atherton, Parker, Adekanye, Garcia.