Arbenit Xhemajli returns after over a year out tonight, as Sunderland take on Oldham Athletic in the Papa John's Trophy first knockout round.
The tie at the Stadium of Light against the League Two Latics sees a host of youngsters reintroduced to the side, with Xhemajli featuring in his first competitive match for the Lads since September 2020.
Cieran Dunne, Benji Kimpioka and Sam Wilding also play their first senior games of the season, as first-team heads such as Aiden O'Brien, Lee Burge and Leon Dajaku also start. Elliot Embleton captains the team on Wearside.
On the bench sits several more youngsters, including Stephen Wearne, Tyrese Dyce and 16-year-old Zak Johnson - who made his debut from the bench against Manchester United Under-21s several weeks ago.
SUNDERLAND AFC: Burge, Dajaku, Alves, Xhemajli, Younger, Dunne, Wilding, O'Brien, Embleton (c), Kimpioka, Harris.
Subs: Carney, Almond, Dyce, Kachosa, Wearne, Scott, Johnson.