Lee Johnson handed new signing Corry Evans his first start in red and white, after the midfielder had come off the bench in Sunderland's weekend friendly win at Hearts.
Evans' inclusion was one of three changes to the starting XI that began at Hearts, with the other changes seeing Ollie Younger come into defence while Lee Burge was in goal.
Carl Winchester, Aiden O'Brien, and Anthony Patterson were the men to make way, with Winchester dropping out of the squad altogether.
Benji Kimpioka and Josh Hawkes were involved for the first time in pre-season, with both named on the bench.
Midfielder Alex Pritchard was again missing as he recovers from Covid, while Will Grigg was absent from the teamsheet after coming off the bench at Hearts.
Tonight's Sunderland XI
Sunderland: Burge, Younger, Doyle, Flanagan, Dyce, McGeady, Neil, Embleton, Evans, Gooch, Stewart
Subs: Patterson, Diamond, O'Brien, Taylor, Hawkes, Kimpioka, Richardson, Wilding, Newall
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