REGIS LE BRIS has made two changes to his Sunderland side for this evening's home game with Sheffield United.

Aji Alese returns to the back four, and will line up at left-back with Luke O'Nien continuing to partner Chris Mepham at centre-half.

Alese replaces Dennis Cirkin, who drops down to the bench after starting Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Stoke City.

The other change comes in the attacking-midfield positions, with Patrick Roberts returning to the starting side in place of Milan Aleksic.

Aleksic made his first senior start at the bet365 Stadium on Sunday, but the Serbian is back on the bench tonight.

Roberts is expected to play in his usual wide-attacking role on the right, with Adil Aouchiche set to fill the 'number ten' role behind central striker Wilson Isidor.

SUNDERLAND (4-2-3-1): Patterson; Hume, O'Nien, Mepham, Alese; Neil, Bellingham; Roberts, Aouchiche, Mayenda; Isidor. 

Subs: Moore, Cirkin, Rusyn, Connolly, Aleksic, Hjelde, Johnson, Ogunsuyi, Jones.

SHEFF UTD (4-2-3-1): Cooper; Gilchrist, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, McCallum; Davies, Peck; O'Hare, Brewster, Hamer; Moore.

Subs: Davies, Norrington-Davies, Boyes, Burrows, Baptiste, Brooks, Marsh, One, Blacker.