O’Shea makes comeback for Black Cats

John O’Shea and Stephane Sessegnon returned from injury as Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill’s fortunes took a turn for the better ahead of this afternoon’s clash with West Ham.

The Republic of Ireland international resumed after a hamstring strain with Carlos Cuellar and Danny Rose missing out with similar problems while Sessegnon replaced Phil Bardsley, and there was a seat on the bench for new signing Alfred N’Diaye.

Hammers manager Sam Allardyce welcomed back Winston Reid and Matt Jarvis as James Tomkins and Ricardo Vaz Te made way, and there was a place among the substitutes for loan signing Marouane Chamakh.

Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, O’Shea, Bramble, Colback, Johnson, Vaughan, Larsson, McClean, Fletcher, Sessegnon.

Subs: Westwood, Bardsley, N’Diaye, Campbell, Wickham, McFadden, Kilgallon.

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Collins, Reid, Potts, Collison, Diarra, Joe Cole, Nolan, Jarvis, Carlton Cole.

Subs: Spiegel, Tomkins, Vaz Te, Taylor, Diame, Chamakh, O’Neil.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire)