No changes for Black Cats

Middlesbrough’s record signing Afonso Alves was left sitting on the bench as Gareth Southgate went in search of a derby victory at Sunderland.

Southgate made three changes to the side which lost 2-1 at Portsmouth last weekend as Alves, Chris Riggott and former Black Cat Justin Hoyte made way for Adam Johnson, David Wheater and Andrew Taylor.

Opposite number Roy Keane named the same side which started last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Wigan, handing home debuts to Anton Ferdinand and, for the second time, George McCartney.

There was a place among the substitutes for Michael Chopra on his return from a three-match ban and a spell at the Sporting Chance Clinic.

Sunderland: Gordon, Chimbonda, Ferdinand, Nosworthy, McCartney, Malbranque, Whitehead, Tainio, Richardson, Cisse, Diouf. Subs: Fulop, Bardsley, Murphy, Collins, Chopra, Leadbitter, Reid.

Middlesbrough: Turnbull, Wheater, Huth, Pogatetz, Taylor, Aliadiere, O’Neil, Digard, Downing, Adam Johnson, Mido. Subs: Jones, Hoyte, Riggott, Alves, Shawky, Arca, Walker.

Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)