Amad Diallo has been handed his first start for Sunderland ahead of their home clash against Blackpool at the Stadium of Light. Diallo is the only change from Sunderland's goalless draw against Preston North End on Saturday as Dan Neil drops to the bench.
Diallo has appeared four times from the bench since joining on a season-long loan from Manchester United. Paris Saint-Germain loanee Edouard Michut is named on the bench for Sunderland for the first time, although Dennis Cirkin doesn't feature in the squad, despite the positive update issued by Tony Mowbray on Monday.
Sunderland have collected 16 points from their first 11 league games and could climb into the Championship play-offs with a victory over the Tangerines. The Black Cats are unbeaten in their last three Championship games (W1 D2), while Mowbray has tasted defeat just once in his first five matches at the helm.
Here is how Sunderland supporters reacted to Mowbray's latest side on social media.
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@FTMFreddie Amad starting, we party!
@SAFCGeorge6 Diallo hat-trick.
@Callummn Amad masterclass incoming.
@Philip_RJ89 Great to see Amad get a start - really excited to see what he can do from the start, and it's good to see Edouard Michut in the squad as well. Some good options off the bench.
@Parkersafc Right call re Amad but Embleton keeping his place in the team at the expense of Neil is a dubious one. Presuming that's a 4-2-3-1.
@AdamGibson112 Surprised Neil got dropped. Would have done Embleton but then again, he'll get a hat-trick now.
@JohnboySafc07 Neil dropped is a strange one for me, thought it would've been Embleton.
@david0688 No Cirkin then?
@John67684101 Quality team... let's go boys.
@harry_knowles11 Good team that.
@AdamSAFC29 Let Tony know Michut debut would be nice please.
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