Sunderland welcome back captain Lee Cattermole who makes his first start of the year after recovering from a knee injury.

January signing Jermain Defoe also returns to Gus Poyet's starting XI after sitting out the FA Cup defeat to Bradford City.

West Bromwich Albion are still without midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu, who suffered a hamstring injury while on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Victor Anichebe also remains on the sidelines after failing to recover from a groin problem.

Sunderland: Pantilimon; Vergini, Reveillere, O'Shea, Brown; Cattermole, Larsson, Johnson, Alvarez; Graham, Defoe.

West Bromwich Albion: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Lescott, Brunt; Morrison, Fletcher, Yacob, Gardner; Ideye, Berahino.