Graeme Murty has been able to call upon six first team players for Sunderland U21s trip to St. George's Park. The young Black Cats will take on Stoke City looking for just their second win of the Premier League 2 Division 2 Campaign.
Leon Dajaku, Jewison Bennette, Edouard Michut, Abdoullah Ba, Jay Matete and Niall Huggins all start. Michael Spellman is among the substitutes following his return from loan at Whitby Town.
Three of the aforementioned players - Ba, Michut and Bennette - all cam off the bench yesterday in Sunderland's defeat to Burnley at the Stadium of Light. The latter of those three played 25 minutes while the French duo played 15 minutes.
READ MORE: Sunderland's first half against Burnley showed they can compete against anyone, says Tony Mowbray
Tony Mowbray has already stressed the importance of the Under-21s fixtures for the new Black Cats youngsters, stating they aren't ready to start Championship games just yet. Huggins is expected to play around 60 minutes today as he continues his comeback following a lengthy lay-off.
Sunderland XI: Richardson, Huggins, Crompton, Johnson, Newall, Matete, Ba, Michut, Bennette, Dajaku, Gardiner
Subs: Bond, Jessup, Kachosa, Spellman, Kelly
READ NEXT
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Tony Mowbray's verdict on Burnley defeat and Sunderland's second half struggles
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Sunderland 2-4 Burnley player ratings as excellent first half displays are thrown into reverse
- Sunderland blow two-goal lead as Burnley romp to victory at the Stadium of Light
- Tony Mowbray is no fan of VAR being introduced into the Championship
- Sunderland's young quartet are not yet ready to start Championship games
