Amad Diallo has been handed his first start for Sunderland ahead of their home clash against Blackpool at the Stadium of Light. Diallo is the only change from Sunderland's goalless draw against Preston North End on Saturday as Dan Neil drops to the bench.
Diallo has appeared four times from the bench since joining on a season-long loan from Manchester United. Paris Saint-Germain loanee Edouard Michut is named on the bench for Sunderland for the first time, although Dennis Cirkin doesn't feature in the squad, despite the positive update issued by Tony Mowbray on Monday.
Sunderland have collected 16 points from their first 11 league games and could climb into the Championship play-offs with a victory over the Tangerines. The Black Cats are unbeaten in their last three Championship games (W1 D2), while Mowbray has tasted defeat just once in his first five matches at the helm.
