Adam Johnson has recovered from a thigh strain to start for Sunderland against Wigan Athletic at the Stadium of Light this afternoon.

The £7m summer signing has only made one Premier League appearance since joining from Manchester City, but has returned to feature in an attacking Black Cats lineup.

James McClean will operate on the left flank, with Johnson on the right and Stephane Sessegnon providing support for in-form striker Steven Fletcher.

Arouna Kone is handed a start for the visitors, with Franco Di Santo, who had been struggling with injury, dropping to the bench.

Centre-back Antolin Alcaraz remains sidelined with a groin strain, while James McArthur replaces Ben Watson in midfield.

Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, O'Shea, Bramble, Rose; Johnson, Larsson, Colback, McClean, Sessegnon; Fletcher

Wigan: Al-Habsi, Boyce, Figueroa, Caldwell, Ramis, Beausejour; Maloney, McCarthy, McArthur, Gomez; Kone