Phil Parkinson made four changes to the Sunderland side that started the weekend defeat at Wycombe Wanderers, with two of those alterations forced upon him with Charlie Wyke out injured and Aiden McGeady serving a one-match ban.
Will Grigg came into the side in place of Wyke, while Lynden Gooch replaced McGeady.
The other changes saw George Dobson return to the starting line-up instead of Grant Leadbitter, while Chris Maguire replaced Conor McLaughlin which meant Luke O’Nien dropped back into defence to fill the gap at right-back.
Young striker Benji Kimpioka – who played an hour for the U23s last night – was included on the bench for the first time in the league this season.
Tranmere boss Micky Mellon made two changes to the side that drew 1-1 against Southend on Friday night.
He brought in Paul Mullins and Connor Jennings in place of Rushian Hepburn-Murphy and Corey Taylor.
Sunderland: Burge, O’Nien, Lynch, Willis, Hume; Power, Dobson, Gooch, Watmore, Maguire, Grigg.
Subs: J McLaughlin, C McLaughlin, Flanagan, McGeouch, Leadbitter, Kimpioka, McNulty.
Tranmere: Davies, Caprice, Ray, Monthe, Ridehalgh, Jennings, Perkins, Danns, Morris, Payne, Mullin.
Subs: Pilling, Walker-Rice, Borthwick-Jackson, Wilson, Nelson, Hepburn-Murphy, Maddox.
