Lee Johnson made three changes to the side that started Sunderland's last league game, the defeat at Sheffield Wednesday two-and-a-half weeks ago.
Nathan Broadhead came into the Black Cats' starting XI in place of Aiden O'Brien, while Bailey Wright was preferred to Tom Flanagan in central defence.
The third change saw Johnson bring Elliot Embleton into the side in place of Dennis Cirkin, who was left out of the matchday squad altogether.
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With Cirkin absent, Luke O'Nien moved to left-back to fill the gap.
Aiden McGeady recovered from injury to take a place on the bench, and young goalkeeper Anthony Patterson was also included amongst the subs after being recalled from his loan spell at Notts County this week following an injury to Lee Burge.
Ipswich boss Paul Cook made one change to his side's last league line-up, which ground out a goalless draw against Oxford United last weekend.
Sone Aluko replaced Wes Burns in the starting XI.
Former Sunderland manager Peter Reid was also back at the Stadium of Light, having recently taken up a consultancy role with the Tractor Boys.
You can follow today's game as it happens in our live match blog here.
Today's teams
Sunderland: Hoffmann, Winchester, Wright, Doyle, O'Nien, Evans, Neil, Embleton, Broadhead, Gooch, Stewart
Subs: Patterson, Flanagan, Alves, Dajaku, O'Brien, Pritchard, McGeady
Ipswich: Walton, Donacien, Nsiala, Edmundson, Clements, Morsy, Evans, Aluko, Celina, Edwards, Bonne
Subs: Hladky, Burgess, Vincent-Young, El Mizouni, Chaplin, Fraser, Pigott
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