JACK CLARKE will make his first appearance since re-signing for Sunderland as the Black Cats take on Roma in a pre-season friendly in Portugal this morning.

Sunderland head coach Alex Neil has made seven changes from the side that started Saturday's abandoned game against Rangers.

Lynden Gooch will wear the captain's armband, having re-signed for Sunderland in the summer.

Jack Diamond is also in the starting side as he looks to stake a claim for a first-team place after spending the bulk of last season on loan at Harrogate Town.

Clarke and Leon Dajaku are set to lead the line, with Ross Stewart not named in the squad.

Stewart worked with Sunderland's physios instead of taking part in yesterday's training session, with his absence from today's game understood to be a precautionary measure.

Kick-off at the Estadio Municipal de Albufeira is 11am, UK time.


SUNDERLAND (3-5-2): Patterson; Winchester, Batth, Cirkin; Gooch, O'Nien, Matete, Embleton, Diamond; Clarke, Dajaku.

Subs: Carney, Richardson, Hume, Kelly, Johnson, Ballard, Evans, Roberts, Neil. Pritchard, Spellman, Taylor, Sohna.