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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