MICHAEL Beale takes charge of Sunderland for the first time as the Black Cats host Coventry City on Saturday.

Here's all you need to know ahead of the game:

WHERE IS THE GAME TAKING PLACE AND WHAT TIME IS KICK-OFF?

Sunderland are the hosts at the Stadium of Light, with the game getting underway at 3pm.

The Black Cats are looking for a victory against Coventry for the first time since 2007, when Dwight Yorke and Carlos Edwards got the goals in a 2-0 win.

The sides played out a draw on Wearside on the first weekend of last season. The reverse fixture at Coventry earlier this season finished 0-0.

ARE TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE?

Yes, tickets are still available and can be bought by visiting the club's website.

IS THE GAME BEING TELEVISED OR STREAMED LIVE?

No, the game isn't being televised live. Supporters overseas can stream the game online with an SAFC Live pass.

Live commentary will be provided by BBC Radio Tyne and Wear.

The Northern Echo's Scott Wilson will be in position in the Stadium of Light to provide live coverage followed by match reaction and analysis.

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WHAT IS SUNDERLAND'S LIKELY LINE-UP?

It's hard to say with it being Beale's first game in charge, but it feels unlikely that he'd make dramatic changes.

The big question mark is up-front. Will Beale start one of the club's four strikers or instead go with Jobe Bellingham or Alex Pritchard, as was the case with Mike Dodds during his caretaker stint.

Timothée Pembélé, Jay Matese and Aji Alese all made their returns from injury for the Under-21s on Monday night.

SUNDERLAND PROBABLE: Patterson, Hume, Ballard, O'Nien, Huggins; Ekwah, Roberts, Neil, Pritchard, Clarke, Bellingham

HOW ARE COVENTRY SHAPING UP?

On the back of last season's play-off final heartbreak and a summer of ins and outs that followed, the Sky Blues had a slow start to the campaign but have found their feet in the last couple of months.

Mark Robins' side head for Wearside having only lost one of their last seven games. They've only won one of their last four but picked up a good point at Leeds United last time out.

Former Sunderland loanee Ellis Simms signed for Coventry in the summer and is expected to lead the line on Saturday. His only two goals so far this season came in a win at QPR back in September.