Chris Mepham makes his full debut at the Stadium of Light after Regis Le Bris opted to name Dan Ballard on the substitute’s bench.

His former Manchester United team-mate last weekend became the first Championship boss to not just avoid defeat to Regis Le Bris' Sunderland but take all three points. That came via a 3-2 victory at Home Park,

Sunderland return to Championship action against Middlesbrough on Saturday lunchtime Regis Le Bris believes Wilson Isidor is close to making his first start for Sunderland but is likely to stick with Eliezer Mayenda for the time being.

For so long, Sunderland feared losing their star man and his matchwinning contributions, and when he eventually moved on in the summer it looked like a gaping hole had been left in Regis Le Bris' side.