Sunderland v Charlton Athletic team news: Lyle Taylor, Darren Pratley and George Lapslie all make full league debuts
Summer signings Lyle Taylor and Darren Pratley are both fit enough to make their full league debuts at Sunderland – where Charlton only name five subs.
Both had been doubts ahead of today’s opening-day clash at the Stadium of Light but make the starting XI, as does youngster George Lapslie who starts a league game for the first time in his career.
Lee Bowyer can only name five substitutes for his depleted side, and has five players who are aged 23 or under in his starting line-up.
Jake Forster-Caskey is absent as he has suffered a serious knee injury.
Taylor will be partnered up-front by Karlan Grant, with Pratley operating next to Joe Aribo in the centre of midfield. Lapslie is expected to fill in on the right-wing with Mark Marshall on the opposite flank.
Dillon Phillips starts between the sticks, with an experienced back-four of Chris Solly, Patrick Bauer, Jason Pearce and Lewis Page.
Charlton: Phillips, Page, Bauer, Pearce, Solly, Marshall, Aribo, Pratley, Lapslie, Taylor, Grant. Subs: Maynard-Brewer, Sarr, Ajose, Maloney, Hackett-Fairchild.