CORRY EVANS returns to Sunderland's starting side for this evening's Championship game at Blackburn Rovers.

Evans was suspended for Saturday's 2-1 win over Wigan, but the skipper is available tonight and goes straight back into Tony Mowbray's starting XI.

He replaces Lynden Gooch, who injured his foot in the weekend win and was not considered for tonight's game.

Gooch's absence means Luke O'Nien will start at right-back, with Aji Alese expected to play alongside Danny Batth at centre-half.


BLACKBURN (3-5-2): Kaminski; Carter, Hyam, S Wharton; Brittain, Morton, Garrett, Szmodics, Hedges; Brereton, Gallagher.

Subs: Pears, Phillips, Mola, A Wharton, Buckley, Dolan, Vale.

SUNDERLAND (4-3-3): Patterson; O'Nien, Batth, Alese, Cirkin; Neil, Evans, Embleton; Roberts, Pritchard, Clarke.

Subs: Bass, Diallo, Wright, Bennette, Ba, Michut, Hume.