Lee Johnson made five changes to the side that started the draw against AFC Wimbledon before Christmas, when eight players were unavailable due to the Covid outbreak at the Academy of Light.
In defence, Tom Flanagan returned to the side with Callum McFadzean missing out.
A second scan showed that Josh Scowen had not suffered a fractured shin after all, meaning he was able to return in midfield to take the place of George Dobson, while Max Power replaced Elliot Embleton.
Aiden McGeady returned in place of Aiden O’Brien, while top scorer Charlie Wyke came in for Will Grigg.
Embleton and O’Brien were included on the bench, but there was no sign of Will Grigg, George Dobson or Callum McFadzean in the matchday squad.
Chris Maguire and Danny Graham were among those who missed out against Wimbledon, but they were on the bench today.
Northampton boss Keith Curle named an unchanged side, sticking with the same starting XI that beat Gillingham in midweek.
You can follow all the latest as it happens this afternoon in our live blog here.
Today's teams
Sunderland: Burge, McLaughlin, Sanderson, Wright, Flanagan, Scowen, Leadbitter, Power, Diamond, Wyke, McGeady.
Subs: Matthews, Willis, Maguire, O’Brien, Gooch, Embleton, Graham.
Northampton: Mitchell, Jones, Bolger, Sheehan, Adams, McWilliams, Watson, Sowerby, Hoskins, Rose, Ashley-Seal.
Subs: Arnold, Harriman, Horsfall, Smith, Holmes, Missilou, Marshall.
