Sunderland host Derby County at the Stadium of Light tonight.
Sunderland XI:Steele; Jones, Galloway, Browning, Kone; Cattermole, Ndong, Honeyman, McGeady, James Vaughan, Lewis Grabban
Sunderland and Derby County rip the curtain off its rail tonight as another Championship season kicks off.
The Stadium of Light plays host as both second-tier sides look to get their campaign off to the best possible start.
But Sunderland go into the contest on something of a downer after being smashed 5-0 by Scottish champions Celtic on Wearside last Saturday.
Black Cats fans will hope and pray that it was merely a blip but time will tell whether their pre-season woes leak into competitive duties
Simon Grayson has signed seven new players this summer – three of which are only on loan – and the new manager has selected six of those to start.
The latest of the seven, goalkeeper Robbin Ruiter, is not included in the squad as Jason Steele – who shipped those five against Celtic – is given the nod between the sticks.
In front of him, Ty Browning – arguably Sunderland’s best defender in pre season – makes his competitive debut, as does Everton team-mate Brendan Galloway at right-back.
Elsewhere, Lewis Grabban and James Vaughan lead the forward line, with Aiden McGeady providing wide support.
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