Ross Stewart picked up an injury in the warm-up at the Riverside Stadium, forcing Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray into a late change. Patrick Roberts was promoted from the bench to fill the void left by the Black Cats' five-goal top scorer, with Leon Dajaku replacing him amongst the subs.
That was the only change to the side that began Mowbray's first game in charge, which saw the new head coach oversee a 3-0 win against Rotherham United at the Stadium of Light last Wednesday. But it was a massive blow to Sunderland, with Stewart the club's 26-goal top scorer last term and having started the current campaign as a man in-form.
It meant that Ellis Simms was left to lead the line, supported by Roberts and Alex Pritchard in behind. Jack Clarke, who scored against Rotherham and also contributed both assists for Stewart's goals, again played wide on the left.
READ MORE: Middlesbrough vs Sunderland LIVE: Latest updates from the Riverside Stadium
And Corry Evans and Dan Neil were again paired together in central midfield. Boro boss Chris Wilder made one change, in his case to the side that lost to an injury-time goal at Watford last Tuesday.
He brought in Dael Fry in place of the injured Darragh Lenihan. Former Sunderland midfielder Paddy McNair was included in the Boro starting XI, while fellow ex-Black Cat Duncan Watmore was on the bench.
You can follow the match action as it happens in our live blog here, with all the post-game reaction and analysis after the final whistle.
Tonight's teams
Sunderland: Patterson, O'Nien, Batth, Cirkin, Gooch, Evans, Neil, Clarke, Pritchard, Simms, Roberts
Subs: Bass, Embleton, Amad, Wright, Matete, Alese, Dajaku
Middlesbrough: Roberts, McNair, Fry, Clarke, Jones, Crooks, Howson, Mowatt, Giles, McGree, Muniz
Subs: Daniels, Hoppe, Smith, Dijksteel, Watmore, Forss, Bola
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- Chris Wilder on preparing for 'full tilt' Sunderland and Tony Mowbray's Boro reunion
- Sunderland striker Ross Stewart a January transfer target for Blackburn if Ben Brereton Diaz is sold
- Sunderland to step up contract talks with Ross Stewart now transfer window has shut
