PATRICK ROBERTS returns to Sunderland’s starting line-up as they take on Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough this evening.
Roberts has not featured in the Black Cats’ starting side since the home win over Rotherham United in mid-August, with Tony Mowbray having selected Abdoullah Ba in the last five league matches.
However, Ba drops out of the starting line-up tonight, with Roberts, who scored a dramatic last-gasp goal at Hillsborough to ensure Sunderland made the League One play-off final two seasons ago, restored to the team.
Mason Burstow retains his place in attack, with summer signing Nazariy Rusyn once again named on the bench Luis Hemir.
Sheffield Wednesday are without their key playmaker Barry Bannan and forward Josh Windass, with the duo both unavailable because of injury.
SHEFF WED (4-2-3-1): Vasquez; Valentin, Bernard, Diaby, Famewo; Byers, Hendrick; Paterson, Buckley, Musaba; Gregory.
Subs: Dawson, Palmer, Iorfa, Vaulks, Bakinson, Delgado, Gassama, Fletcher, Smith.
SUNDERLAND (4-2-3-1): Patterson; Hume, O’Nien, Ballard, Huggins; Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Pritchard, Clarke; Burstow.
Subs: Bishop, Aouchiche, Hemir, Seelt, Traintis, Rigg, Ba, Taylor, Rusyn.
