January signing Connor Shields will lead the line at Eppleton CW on Friday evening when Sunderland under-23s take on Hull City (KO 7pm).
The former Albion Rovers man partners Lee Connelly up top, with Jack Diamond and Elliot Embleton tasked with supplying the duo.
Max Stryjek starts between the posts as Brendan Galloway features at left-back.
On the bench, Luke Molyneux returns from injury after a prolonged spell on the sidelines following a knee injury.
Sunderland under-23s: Stryjek, J Robson, Hume, Gamble, Storey, Galloway, Connelly, Hackett, Shields, Embleton, Diamond.
Subs: Taylor, Talbot, Molyneux, Brotherton, Kimpioka.