Paddy McNair starts for Sunderland under-23s this evening against Manchester City at Eppleton Colliery Welfare.
After featuring last weekend at Exeter City, the Northern Ireland international will clock his second batch of minutes after struggling with a groin injury over the last few months.
Max Stryjek, meanwhile, starts between the sticks while Brendan Galloway also lines up for Elliott Dickman’s side.
Bali Mumba, an under-16 who has largely featured for the youth team this season, features on the bench for the first time.
Sunderland U23: Stryjek, Robson, Hume, Gamble, Taylor, Galloway, Diamond, McNair, Shields, Embleton, Hackett
Subs: Storey, Patterson, Mumba, Kimpioka, Connelly