ERIC Black has handed Ji Dong-won a surprise start as he steps in as Sunderland's caretaker manager for today's Premier League game at Wolves.

While Martin O'Neill was appointed as Steve Bruce's permanent successor yesterday, the former Celtic and Aston Villa will be in the directors' box at Molineux.

Black will be in sole charge for today's game as Sunderland look to record their third win of the season.

Ji comes into the side for centre-half Michael Turner, who is absent with injury.

John O'Shea will partner Wes Brown at centre-half, with Phil Bardsley reverting to right-back and Kieran Richardson slotting back into the back four on the opposite flank.

Ji will partner Nicklas Bendtner up front, with Stephane Sessegnon expected to start on the left-hand side.

WOLVES (4-4-2): Hennessey; Edwards, Craddock, Berra, Zubar; Ward, Hunt, O'Hara, Jarvis; Doyle, Fletcher.

Subs: De Vries (gk), Elokobi, Stearman, Johnson, Ebanks-Blake, Hammill, Milijas.

SUNDERLAND (4-4-2): Westwood; Bardsley, O'Shea, Brown, Richardson; Larsson, Cattermole, Colback, Sessegnon; Ji, Bendtner.

Subs: Carson, Bramble, McClean, Gardner, Vaughan, Elmohamady, R Noble.