Wes Brown has failed to recover for a groin injury in time for Sunderland's trip to Wigan Athletic this evening.
The centre-back's place has been taken by Matt Kilgallon, while Kieran Richardson also starts in place of the injured Sebastian Larsson.
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has decided to drop Victor Moses to the bench, allowing Albert Crusat to start in attack.
Wigan: Al-Habsi; Gohouri, Alcaraz, Stam, Figueroa; McCarthy, Crusat, Watson, Gomez, Jones; Rodallega
Sunderland: Mignolet; Gardner, Colback, Kilgallon, O'Shea; Richardson, McClean, Cattermole, Vaughan; Sessegnon; Bendtner