Charlton Athletic v Sunderland team news: Watson and Vennings make first full league starts

Ben Watson and James Vennings make their first full league starts for Charlton Athletic in today’s home game against Sunderland.

Former Crystal Palace and Forest midfielder Watson made his debut as a second-half substitute at Lincoln City last weekend.

Vennings, 20, whose previous three league outings have all came off the bench, is set to partner him in the centre of midfield with Darren Pratley dropping into the backline.

That latter change pushes Deji Oshilaja to right-back in place of Charlie Barker, who is named as one of the subs.

The Addicks no longer can call upon Macauley Bonne – sold to QPR on Friday – but new signing Marcus Maddison is on the bench along with Chuks Aneke, who has recovered from Covid-19.

Former Millwall attacker Aiden O’Brien starts for the Black Cats in SE7.

Sunderland are unbeaten in League One this season, taking seven points from a possible nine.

Charlton have lost their last two in the competition.

Charlton: Amos, Oshilaja, Pratley, Famewo, Purrington, Vennings, Watson, Levitt, Oztumer, Doughty, Washington. Subs: Williams, Aneke, Morgan, Maddison, Lapslie, Barker.

Sunderland: Burge, Willis,Wright, Flanagan, O’Nien, Scowen, Leadbitter, Hume, O’Brien, Graham, Gooch. Subs: McLaughlin, Power, Wyke, Xhemajli, Matthews, Diamond, Grigg.

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD