New boys Jermain Defoe and Jay Matete will be in the matchday squad for Sunderland’s clash with Doncaster at the Stadium of Light.
Both players joined the Black Cats on deadline day and will be thrust straight into the action, with £1 from every ticket being donated to the Bradley Lowery Foundation.
The news of England international Defoe returning to Wearside has overshadowed the arrival of Matete from Fleetwood, who arrived on the same day for an undisclosed fee.
Interim boss Mike Dodds - in charge this weekend following the sacking of Lee Johnson - revealed that the duo are in contention.
“Both will be in the squad this weekend,” Dodds said ahead of the game.
“Jay oozes quality and class and he will give us a different dimension in midfield. He is a fantastic addition for the football club.
“We don’t really need to talk about Jermain’s quality, but the thing that has struck me, which shouldn’t surprise you but often does, is his human qualities.
“He’s come into the club and treated everyone with the utmost respect - he has a real charisma in the way he conducts himself.
“We know he will have big moments for the football club on the pitch throughout the remainder of the season.”
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