Elliot Embleton came into Sunderland's starting XI against West Bromwich Albion at the Stadium of Light as Tony Mowbray made one change to the side that beat Millwall last time out on Wearside. Embleton replaced Jack Clarke, with the latter dropping to the bench.
There was no place in the squad for striker Ross Stewart, however. The Scotland international had been expected to be involved for the first time since suffering a thigh injury at the end of August, with Mowbray saying last week that he would be on the bench 'as long as he feels strong and confident'.
But Stewart's name was not on the teamsheet, with Mowbray opting to take a more cautious approach and give him more time.
READ MORE: Sunderland vs West Brom LIVE - Early team news and updates from the Stadium of Light
“Ross played his first 60 minutes last week and although his return to competitive football is imminent, we didn’t feel the need to rush him back, and felt tonight’s game was a little too soon after playing midweek,” he said before the match.
Neither Bailey Wright nor Jewison Bennette were included in the squad despite returning to training with Sunderland this week following their World Cup exploits with Australia and Costa Rica respectively.
West Brom boss Carlos Corboran also made one change, in his case to the side that beat Stoke City a month ago, before the World Cup break.
Erik Pieters came into the side in place of Kyle Bartley.
Tonight's teams
Sunderland: Patterson, Gooch, O'Nien, Batth, Alese, Neil, Evans, Amad, Pritchard, Embleton, Simms
Subs: Bass, Hume, Cirkin, Dajaku, Roberts, Clarke, Ba
West Brom: Palmer, Furlong, Pieters, O'Shea, Townsend, Yokuslu, Molumby, Wallace, Swift, Phillips, Thomas-Asante
Subs: Button, Rogic, Dike, Kelly, Grant, Reach, Gardner-Hickman
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