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.
