Tony Mowbray was forced into one change to the side that won at Preston in the final day of the Championship season, as his side prepared to take on Luton Town in the play-off semi-final. Dennis Cirkin had limped off at half-time with an ankle injury in that win at Deepdale and he did not recover in time to be involved against the Hatters at the Stadium of Light.
His place in Sunderland's starting XI was taken by Alex Pritchard, who had replaced him from the bench at Preston, meaning the Black Cats lined up against Luton with a back three as they had at the beginning of the second half against the Lillywhites. Lynden Gooch had been substituted in the second half at Preston with a minor hamstring issue but he was passed fit to start, and the versatile was included on the left side of the back three, with Trai Hume and Luke O'Nien operating as the other centre-backs.
That left Patrick Roberts and Jack Clarke as the wingbacks, with Dan Neil and Pierre Ekwah in central midfield. Joe Gelhardt will lead the line, supported by Amad and Pritchard.
