Robbie Stockdale and Billy McKinley have made changes for today’s game against Middlesbrough (KO 12.15pm).
Paddy McNair makes his first start in almost a year and Billy Jones is recalled to the starting XI in favour of Adam Matthews who drops to the bench.
Lee Cattermole will line up against his former club but fellow Boro academy graduate Jason Steele remains amongst the substitutes, as Robbin Ruiter retains his place between the posts.
Marc Wilson also comes into the side as Lamine Kone misses out on a place in the matchday squad, as Sunderland’s caretaker duo pack the midfield with Darron Gibson and Didier Ndong included alongside Cattermole and McNair.
Sunderland: Ruiter, Jones, Oviedo, Wilson, O’Shea, Gibson, Cattermole, McNair, Ndong, McGeady, Grabban.
Substitutes: Steele, Williams, Rodwell, McManaman, Matthews, Honeyman, Gooch.
