Team News: Sunderland, Stoke City make widespread changes ahead of Cup tie

Sunderland have made seven changes for this evening's League Cup clash against Stoke City at the Stadium of Light.

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon is in the starting XI for last season's finalists, while Sebastian Coates is in line to make his debut.

There are also starts for Billy Jones, Liam Bridcutt, Jordi Gomez, Will Buckley and Jozy Altidore.

The Black Cats scored at least two goals in five of the seven matches they played in the League Cup last season.

Meanwhile, Stoke make six changes from last week's 2-2 draw at Queens Park Rangers for tonight's game, with Jack Butland, Rob Huth, Marc Muniesa, Stephen Ireland, Marko Arnautovic and Oussama Assaidi all in.

Mark Hughes is unable to call on Jonathan Walters, however, as he is out with a calf injury.

Stoke have won both of their previous matches against Sunderland in the League Cup.

Sunderland: Pantilimon, Vergini, Jones, O'Shea, Coates, Johnson, Rodwell, Bridcutt, Gomez, Buckley, Altidore

Stoke City: Butland; Bardsley, Shawcross, Huth, Muniesa; Nzonzi, Adam; Arnautovic, Ireland, Assaidi; Diouf