SEBASTIAN COATES will make his first Premier League start for Sunderland in this evening's home game with Manchester City.

Coates, who joined on loan from Liverpool on August transfer-deadline day, replaces Wes Brown from the side that drew with Chelsea last weekend.

Brown's inability to play three games in a week is well documented, so with Coates ineligible to face Liverpool on Saturday, it is logical for the Uruguayan to come into the side tonight.

Gus Poyet's other selection change sees Will Buckley replace Adam Johnson on the right-hand side, with the latter not named amongst the substitutes as he is believed to be carrying a knock.

Sunderland are looking to record their fifth successive 1-0 home win over Manchester City, and their prospects could be enhanced by Manuel Pellegrini's defensive problems.

The visitors have named Dedryck Boyata alongside Martin Demichelis at the heart of their back four, with skipper Vincent Kompany unavailable.

SUNDERLAND (4-1-4-1): Pantilimon; Vergini, Coates, O'Shea, Reveillere; Cattermole; Buckley, Larsson, Rodwell, Wickham; Fletcher.

Subs: Mannone (gk), Brown, Cabral, Bridcutt, Gomez, Altidore, Alvarez.

MAN CITY (4-2-3-1): Hart; Zabaleta, Boyata, Demichelis, Clichy; Fernandinho, Toure; Nasri, Jovetic, Navas; Aguero.

Subs: Cabellero (gk), Angelino, Sagna, Fernando, Lampard, Milner, Pozo.