New signing Danny Batth made his Sunderland debut as one of two changes to the side that drew at Accrington Stanley last weekend.
Centre-back Batth, who joined the Black Cats on a free transfer from Stoke City in midweek, came into the starting XI to face Portsmouth at the expense of Bailey Wright, who was a doubt going into today's game after picking up a knock at Accrington.
The other change saw Lee Johnson bring back midfielder Corry Evans after he missed the last two games after suffering a concussion at Wycombe a fortnight ago.