Nathan Broadhead was brought straight back into Sunderland's starting line-up against Charlton Athletic at The Valley. The on-loan Everton striker is fit again after recovering from the hamstring injury he suffered in the Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat at Arsenal the week before Christmas.
He had been pictured back on the training ground at the Academy of Light this week and there was always a chance that he could be involved today, but Alex Neil's decision to include him in the starting XI was still something of a surprise. Broadhead's inclusion at the expense of Elliot Embleton was the only change to the Sunderland side that began last weekend's win at Wigan Athletic.
Embleton dropped to the bench, and centre-back Callum Doyle was also included amongst the subs after being rested at Wigan. Jermain Defoe and Leon Dajaku were on the bench at Wigan, but made way today.
