Jermain Defoe will begin his second Sunderland spell on the bench for the visit of Doncaster Rovers.
The return of the Black Cats striker has dominated the headlines in the build-up to the clash at the Stadium of Light, along with the search for Lee Johnson's successor.
Mike Dodds and Michael Proctor have taken charge on an interim basis, with former Sunderland manager Roy Keane understood to be the club's number one target for the hotseat.
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The hosts will be keen to put last Saturday's humiliating defeat at Bolton Wanderers behind them, and close the gap on Rotherham and Wigan Athletic who both hold games in hand.
Defoe and fellow January signing Jay Matete arewere forced to settle for spots on the bench, with Alex Pritchard replacing Leon Dajaku in the only change from the loss at the University of Bolton Stadium.
The decision not to start the 39-year-old was one of several choices questioned by Black Cats fans in response to the announcement on social media.
This was how Sunderland fans reacted to the starting lineup for the home clash with Doncaster Rovers.
'Bench is better'
'No pace on the wings'
'Not what a lot of fans wanted'
'Ridiculous after last week'
'Shocking lineup'
'Thought Defoe would start'
'Where is Jermain?'
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