David Moyes has made five changes to Sunderland's starting lineup for the meeting with West Bromwich Albion at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.
The Black Cats are still without a win in the top flight this term and remain rooted to the foot of the table, with defeat today enough to make this the worst start any side has made to a Premier League season.
Skipper John O'Shea is among those to return in the heart of the backline, taking the place of Papy Djilobodji, while Patrick van Aanholt is replaced by Jason Denayer in the second defensive alteration.
With Lee Cattermole missing out through injury there is a place for Paddy McNair in midfield, while Jack Rodwell is named on the substitutes' bench alongside a string of youngsters.
Vito Mannone, Seb Larsson, Fabio Borini, Steven Pienaar, Victor Anichebe and Adnan Januzaj are the hosts' other absentees today, with the latter missing out due to suspension.
There is a 100th Premier League appearance for James McClean in the Albion ranks, meanwhile, in a team that is once again spearheaded by Solomon Rondon in the North-East.
Saido Berahino missed the meeting with Stoke City last weekend through a stomach bug, but he is back in the squad and among the back-up options for manager Tony Pulis to call upon this afternoon.
James Morrison was another who was pushing for a first start since picking up a hamstring injury in January, though he is also made to settle for a place among the subs as Albion look for a second away win in their last 10 outings.
Sunderland: Pickford, Denayer, Manquillo, O'Shea, Kone, Kirchhoff, McNair, Ndong, Khazri, Watmore, Defoe
Subs: Djilobodji, Rodwell, van Aanholt, Mika, Love, Honeyman, Gooch
West Bromwich Albion: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Nyom; Phillips, Fletcher, Yacob, McClean; Chadli; Rondon
Subs: Myhill, Olsson, Gardner, Robson-Kanu, Berahino, Morrison, Leko
Daniel Lewis
