ANTHONY PATTERSON is missing from Sunderland's starting line-up for this afternoon's home game with Oxford United.

Patterson drops out of the matchday squad for the first time this season after picking up an injury, meaning Simon Moore is handed a first league appearance in a Sunderland shirt.

With Moore in the starting side, Blondy Nna Noukeu is promoted to the squad and is the second-choice goalkeeper on the bench.

Regis Le Bris has made two changes to the side that started Wednesday night's victory at Luton Town, with Patrick Roberts returning to the line-up after dropping down to the bench at Kenilworth Road.

Roberts, who play in his usual slot on the right-hand side, replaces Alan Browne, who is back on the substitutes' bench this afternoon.


SUNDERLAND (4-3-3):  Moore; Hume, Mepham, O'Nien, Cirkin; Rigg, Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Isidor, Mundle.

Subs: Nna Noukeu, Browne, Rusyn, Aouchiche, Connolly, Aleksic, Hjelde, Watson, Johnson.


OXFORD (4-1-4-1): Cumming; Kioso, Moore, Nelson, Brown; Vaulks; Goodrham, Rodrigues, El Mizouni, Harris; Scarlett.

Subs: Ingram, Long, McEachran, Ebiowei, Sibley, Dale, Leigh, Avest, Goodwin.