Team News: Connor Wickham starts for Sunderland

Connor Wickham has returned to Sunderland's starting lineup for their match against Queens Park Rangers at the Stadium of Light this evening.

The striker missed out with a calf injury at the weekend, but replaces Jack Rodwell this evening, after he picked up a groin injury.

Meanwhile, there are five changes for the visitors, who are continuing to look for their first points away from Loftus Road this season.

With Charlie Austin sidelined with a bruised foot, Bobby Zamora starts alongside Leroy Fer up front, while Rio Ferdinand also returns.

Sunderland: Pantilimon, Reveillere, Vergini, O'Shea, Van Aanholt, Bridcutt, Larsson, Gomez, Johnson, Wickham, Defoe Subs: Brown, Fletcher, Graham, Alvarez, Coates, Agnew, Mannone

QPR: Green, Isla, Caulker, Ferdinand, Yun, Phillips, Barton, Henry, Kranjcar, Fer, Zamora

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