Phil Parkinson made two changes to the side that drew against Bristol Rovers last weekend, one of which was forced upon him as George Dobson began a three-match suspension following his red card in that game.
Grant Leadbitter came into midfield in a straight swap for Dobson, with Josh Scowen having to settle for a place on the bench once again.
The second change saw Danny Graham brought in for his first start since rejoining the club, and he took the place of Will Grigg alongside Aiden O’Brien up front.
You can follow the match as it happens in our live blog here, with all the latest action, analysis and reaction.
Oxford boss Karl Robinson also made two changes to the side that lost at Lincoln City in the league last weekend, handing Sean Clare and Derick Osei Yaw their first starts for the club in place of Marcus McGuane and the injured Josh Ruffles.
Today's line-ups
Sunderland: Burge, Willis, Wright, Flanagan, O'Nien, Maguire, Leadbitter, Power, Hume, Graham, O'Brien
Subs: Matthews, McLaughlin, Wyke, Gooch, Scowen, Xhemajli, Grigg
Oxford: Eastwood, Clare, Moore, Atkinson, Long, Sykes Kelly, Brannagan, Henry, Osei Yaw, Taylor.
Subs: Hall, Stevens Forde, Cooper, McGuane, Agyei, Elechi.
