Sunderland full debut, major injury boost and striker opportunity against Stoke City
CHRIS Rigg returns from injury for Sunderland in today's FA Cup third tie against Stoke City - and Aaron Connolly makes his first start since November.
Simon Moore and Leo Hjelde also come into the side, while Harrison Jones makes his full debut for the Black Cats.
Anthony Patterson, Chris Mepham, Jobe Bellingham, Patrick Roberts and Wilson Isidor all drop out of the side.
It's Rigg's first appearance since Boxing Day, when he suffered an injury late on in the draw at Blackburn.
Connolly, meanwhile, is making his first start since the draw at Millwall. Regis Le Bris admitted last week the forward was facing an uncertain future amid his lack of action of late and with the Black Cats hopeful of strengthening their forward line before the end of the January transfer window.
Salis Abdul Samed is in the squad for the first time after recovering from injury.
Enzo Le Fee wasn't signed in time to play this afternoon but will be in attendance at the Stadium of Light.
sunderland: Moore, Hume, O'Nien, Hjelde, Alese; Neil, Rigg, Jones, Mayenda, Aouchiche, Connolly
Subs: Nna Noukeu, Bellingha, Rusyn, Isidor, Samed, Mepham, Akeksic, Johnson, Ogunsuyi
Stoke: Johansson, Tchamadeu, Stevens, Phillips, Wilmot, Seko, Burger, Baker, Moran, Koumas, Cannon.
Subs: Bonham, Rose, Lawal, Gooch, Sidibe, Junho, Vidigal, Tezgel, Ennis.
