Edwards back in for Sunderland

Sunderland boss Roy Keane threw winger Carlos Edwards straight back into the heat of the 127th Wear-Tyne league derby on his return from injury.

The Trinidad and Tobago international, who has not played a senior game since tearing his hamstring at Birmingham on August 15, was joined in the starting line-up by defender Paul McShane on his return from suspension, Ross Wallace and former Newcastle striker Michael Chopra.

Magpies manager Sam Allardyce recalled striker Mark Viduka after his calf injury and asked Emre, who scored the winner in the reverse fixture two seasons ago, to replace suspended midfielder Nicky Butt.

There was also a return at the back for Czech international David Rozehnal in place of Claudio Cacapa, who endured a nightmare in last weekend’s 4-1 home defeat by Portsmouth.

Sunderland: Gordon, McShane, Nosworthy, Higginbotham, Harte, Edwards, Leadbitter, Etuhu, Wallace, Chopra, Jones. Subs: Ward, Stokes, Miller, Collins, Connolly.

Newcastle: Harper, Taylor, Faye, Rozehnal, N’Zogbia, Milner, Smith, Barton, Emre, Owen, Viduka. Subs: Forster, Jose Enrique, Martins, Geremi, Beye.

Referee: Martin Atkinson (W Yorkshire)