Sunderland U21s have named four first-team players to face Newcastle in the Tyne-Wear derby. Abdoullah Ba, Alex Bass, Jay Matete and Niall Huggins will start at St. James' Park while Jewison Bennette has been named on the bench.
Graeme Murty's side come into the game looking to build on their win at Stoke City. The Black Cats have won just twice in the Premier League this season, but have been able to call upon a number of first-team players throughout the campaign.
Michael Spellman is back in the starting XI after a loan spell with Whitby Town. Ellis Taylor is also back in the side, with his youth loan meaning he can still play for Sunderland despite being on loan with Hartlepool United.
READ MORE: Newcastle U21s vs Sunderland U21s LIVE
Elliott Dickman named two changes from the starting eleven who came from behind to beat Southampton in their last outing. Jude Smith replaces Will Brown in goal, while former Sunderland prospect Jay Turner-Cooke comes into midfield in place of James Huntley.
Newcastle U21s XI: Smith, Barclay, Bondswell, Miley, Brookwell, Murphy, Scott, Turner-Cooke, Westendorf, White, Stephenson
Subs: Wiggett, Brown, Huntley, Diallo, Ndiweni
Sunderland U21s XI: Bass, Huggins, Johnson, Crompton, Newall, Matete, Ba, Spellman, Taylor, Gardiner, Thompson
Subs: Richardson, Bennette, Kachosa, Burke, Jessup
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