JAY MATETE makes his first start of the season this afternoon as Sunderland take on Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium.

Matete, who was a second-half substitute as the Black Cats lost 2-1 to Sheffield United on Wednesday, replaces Dan Neil, who is suspended after being sent off at Bramall Lane.

The switch is the only alteration to the side that played in midweek, with Alex Neil opting to keep Luke O'Nien as part of the back three alongside Danny Batth and Dennis Cirkin.

Corry Evans returns to the Sunderland squad after a knock, but the midfielder is only deemed to be fit enough for a place on the bench.

Liam Delap will make his Stoke City debut in the home ranks, having joined the club on loan from Manchester City earlier this week.

 

STOKE (3-5-2): Bursik; Taylor, Jagielka, Wilmot; Fosu-Henry, Smallbone, Baker, Kilkenny, Thompson; Delap, Brown.

Subs: Bonham (gk), Fox, Flint, Clucas, Campbell, Gayle, Wright-Phillips.

SUNDERLAND (3-5-2): Patterson; O'Nien, Batth, Cirkin; Gooch, Embleton, Matete, Pritchard, Clarke; Simms, Stewart.

Subs: Bass (gk), Alese, Hume, Wright, Diamond, Roberts, Evans.