Aiden O’Brien will make his competitive debut for Sunderland in this afternoon’s season opener against Hull City in the Carabao Cup.
Black Cats boss Phil Parkinson has handed the 26-year-old forward a starting spot against the Tigers at the Stadium of Light.
O’Brien, signed as a free agent after leaving Millwall, is joined in the Sunderland starting line-up by another summer recruit, Bailey Wright, who spent time on loan on Wearside last season from Bristol City.
Parkinson has been able to name Jordan Willis in defence after his recovery from a knock, while Lee Burge has won the battle to start the season in goal.
Other summer recruits Remi Matthews and Morgan Feeney are named on the bench to face Hull, who were relegated from the Championship last season.
Former Sunderland captain George Honeyman starts for Hull.
Sunderland AFC: Burge, O’Nien, Flanagan, Willis, Wright, Hume, Dobson, Power, Maguire, O’Brien, Grigg.
Subs: Wyke, Gooch, Scowen, Feeney, Matthews (gk), Leadbitter, Neil.