KIERAN TRIPPIER has been passed fit to start for Newcastle United in today's Wear-Tyne derby - but Patrick Roberts misses out for Sunderland.

Black Cats boss Michael Beale has named an unchanged side from the team that kicked off the New Year's Day win over Preston.

That means Aji Alese continuing at left-back, with Trai Hume on the opposite flank, and Nazariy Rusyn continuing in attack after scoring his first Sunderland goal at the start of the week.

Alex Pritchard and Jobe Bellingham play in midfield, with Jack Clarke in his usual spot on the left of Sunderland's attacking-midfield unit.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has made two changes from the team that kicked off the New Year's Day defeat to Liverpool.

Trippier returns to the starting side after recovering from a muscular injury, and he replaces Tino Livramento, who started at Anfield.

The other Magpies change sees Miguel Almiron return to the starting side, with Lewis Miley dropping down to the substitutes' bench.

Almiron's return means that Joelinton will drop back into midfield, playing alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff.


SUNDERLAND (4-2-3-1): Patterson; Hume, O'Nien, Ballard, Alese; Neil, Ekwah; Pritchard, Bellingham, Clarke; Rusyn.

Subs: Bishop, Pembele, Hemir, Burstow, Ba, Aouchiche, Seelt, Triantis, Rigg.


NEWCASTLE (4-3-3): Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Gordon.

Subs: Karius, Dummett, Lascelles, Ritchie, Krafth, Hall, Livramento, Parkinson, Miley.