Phil Parkinson has named the same Sunderland starting line-up for the second weekend in a row at the Stadium of Light to open the League One season against Bristol Rovers.
The Black Cats boss has resisted the temptation to introduce a few of the players who shone in the 8-1 victory over Aston Villa’s Under-21s in the EFL Trophy in midweek.
He has stayed faithful to the 11 who started the Carabao Cup game against Hull City last Saturday having been satisfied with aspects of the display despite eventually losing on penalties following the goalless draw.
That means strikers Aiden O’Brien and Will Grigg will start together in attack despite the arrival of Danny Graham, while George Dobson, Max Power and Chris Maguire look set to continue in midfield.
Recent recruits Graham, who scored against Villa’s young guns, and Arbenit Xhemajli are among the substitutes for Sunderland.
These two sides begin the new season having ended the last one in March at the Memorial Ground, where Rovers brushed the Black Cats aside and now they include former Sunderland defender Jack Baldwin in their ranks.
SUNDERLAND: Burge; Willis, Wright, Flanagan; O’Nien, Dobson, Power, Maguire, Hume; O’Brien, Grigg.
Subs: Scowen, Matthews (gk), Leadbitter, Wyke, Gooch, Graham, Xhemajli.
Referee: Anthony Backhouse