Gyan back to starting line-up for Sunderland

Sunderland’s record signing Asamoah Gyan returned to the starting line-up for this afternoon’s Barclays Premier League clash with Bolton.

The Ghana international replaced David Meyler, while there was a return too for £9m keeper Craig Gordon, who came in for Simon Mignolet after shaking off a hamstring injury.

Owen Coyle also made two changes as the suspended Mark Davies and Lee Chung-yong made way.

Fabrice Muamba and Matthew Taylor were drafted in as sixth-placed Wanderers attempted to maintain their advantage over the Black Cats, who started the day in seventh.

Sunderland: Gordon, Onuoha, Ferdinand, Mensah, Bardsley, Henderson, Cattermole, Richardson, Welbeck, Gyan, Bent. Subs: Mignolet, Angeleri, Malbranque, Zenden, Elmohamady, Da Silva, Riveros.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, Taylor, Holden, Muamba, Petrov, Elmander, Kevin Davies. Subs: Bogdan, Steinsson, Klasnic, Moreno, Blake, Cohen, Lee.

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)