Phil Parkinson handed new signing Bailey Wright his Sunderland debut, with the on-loan Bristol City man replacing Alim Ozturk in central defence.
Ozturk travelled to Prenton Park with the squad but was not included in the matchday 18.
That defensive change was the only alteration Parkinson made to the side that started Friday’s draw against Doncaster Rovers.
Latest arrival Josh Scowen was included on the bench, as was fellow January signing Kyle Lafferty.
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Tranmere Rovers boss Micky Mellon made three changes to the side that lost 6-0 against Manchester United in the FA Cup at the weekend.
Calum Woods, Kane Wilson, and Alex Woodyard came into the side in place of Peter Clarke, Corey Blackett-Taylor, and Neil Danns.
Sunderland: McLaughlin, Wright, Willis, Lynch; O'Nien, Power, Dobson, Hume; Maguire, Gooch, Wyke.
Subs: Burge, C McLaughlin, Scowen, Leadbitter, McNulty, Flanagan, Lafferty
Tranmere: Davies, Woods, Ridehalgh, Monthe, Morris, Ferrier, Jennings, Caprice, Perkins, Wilson, Woodyard.
Subs: Pilling, Mullen, Gilmour, Payne, Potter, Nelson, Spellman.
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