Team News: Gus Poyet makes nine changes to Sunderland team

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has made nine changes to his team for the Premier League clash with Stoke City on Wednesday evening.

The Black Cats, who can move out of the relegation zone with a positive result, welcome back key players following the FA Cup victory over Kidderminster.

Steven Fletcher is left on the bench as Jozy Altidore continues in attack, with Fabio Borini offering the American support.

New signing Peter Odemwingie makes his debut for Stoke, while Oussama Assaidi and Glenn Whelan both return to the starting lineup.

Sunderland: Mannone, Bardsley, Alonso, Ki, Brown, O'Shea, Johnson, Colback, Larsson, Altidore, Borini

Stoke: Begovic, Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters, Odemwingie, Nzonzi, Adam, Whelan, Assaidi, Crouch

You can follow live text coverage of the game on Sports Mole.