Cameron Jerome will make his first start for Stoke City in the Premier League since his switch from Birmingham City at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.
Jerome will partner fellow new signing Peter Crouch up front, a decision which will see Jonathan Walters move out to the wing.
Hosts Sunderland welcome back captain John O'Shea from injury, while David Vaughan and Craig Gardner form the central midfield partnership.
Sunderland: Mignolet; O'Shea, Richardson, Bramble, Brown; Larsson, Elmohamady, Vaughan, Gardner; Sessegnon, Bendtner.
Stoke: Begovic; Huth, Wilson, Shawcross, Woodgate; Etherington, Delap, Whitehead, Walters; Jerome, Crouch.