SUNDERLAND have been forced to start flanker Ahmed Elmohamady as a makeshift striker for the Black Cats' visit to Bolton Wanderers today.
Egyptian Elmohamady, who has been employed primarily as a right-winger, and latterly as a right-back, will start as targetman next to Stephane Sessegnon, who receives his second consecutive start in attack.
Steed Malbranque drops to midfield alongside Jordan Henderson and Jack Colback, while Bolo Zenden starts as captain.
John Mensah returns from injury to start at centre-half alongside Nedum Onuoha, while Anton Ferdinand will start at right-back.
BOLTON WANDERERS (4-1-3-2): Jaaskelainen; Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Robinson; Muamba; Lee, Elmander, Taylor; Sturridge, Davies. Subs: Bogdan (gk), Petrov, Gardner, Klasnic, Rodrigo, Cohen, Wheater.
SUNDERLAND (4-4-2): Mignolet; Ferdinand, Mensah, Onuoha, Bardsley; Malbranque, Colback, Henderson, Zenden; Elmohamady, Sessegnon. Subs: Carson (gk), Muntari, Riveros, Knott, Noble, Adams, Lynch.
Referee: Kevin Friend
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