Ross Stewart and Dan Ballard were included in Sunderland's matchday squad for the first time since August, with Tony Mowbray naming both men on the bench against Hull City at the MKM Stadium. Scotland international striker Stewart was in the 18 after recovering from the thigh injury that has kept him out of action for three-and-a-half months.
And Ballard has been out for even longer, with a broken bone in his foot meaning he last played four months ago. Jewison Bennette was also amongst the subs for the first time since he returned from World Cup duty with Costa Rica.
Mowbray made only one change to the starting XI that began Sunderland's home defeat against West Brom on Monday night with Jack Clarke coming into the side in place of Alex Pritchard, who missed out due to a calf problem. Hull boss Liam Rosenior made two changes, in his case to the side that started last weekend's goalless draw at Watford.
