Paddy McNair will clock his first minutes in 10 months this evening for Sunderland under-23s.
The Black Cats entertain German side Hertha Berlin at the Stadium of Light, kick-off 7pm, as they begin their Premier League International Cup venture.
The Northern Ireland international suffered a season-ending knee injury last November, but after 10 months on the sidelines he’s resumed training and will feature as one of five first-team faces.
Duncan Watmore also lines up for the Black Cats, with Donald Love, Brendan Galloway and Jack Rodwell.
James Talbot returns between the sticks.
Sunderland U23s: Talbot, Love, Galloway, Bale, Beadling, Rodwell, Molyneux, Robson, Watmore, McNair, Greenwood.
Subs: Taylor, Woud, Gamble, Diamond, Hackett, Nelson