Irvine hands competitive Albion debuts to three of his summer signings
ALAN Irvine hands competitive Albion debuts to three of his summer signings.
Andre Wisdom and Sebastien Pocognoli are both named in defence, while fellow new recruit Craig Gardner starts against the club he left in the summer.
The Baggies are also buoyed by the inclusion of club-record signing Brown Ideye and new arrival Jason Davidson on the bench after both proved their fitness.
Gus Poyet names two of his new signings – Jack Rodwell and Patrick van Aanholt - in the Black Cats' starting XI.
ALBION: Foster, Wisdom, Dawson, Olsson, Pocognoli, Mulumbu, Gardner, Dorrans, Berahino, Brunt (c), Anichebe. Subs: Myhill (gk), Ideye, Davidson, O’Neil, Sessegnon, Yacob, Baird.
SUNDERLAND: Mannone, Roberge, van Aanholt, Brown, O'Shea (c), Cattermole, Larsson, Rodwell, Johnson, Wickham, Fletcher. Subs: Pantilimon (gk), Bridcutt, Gomez, Altidore, Mavrias, Graham, Buckley.
REFEREE: N Swarbrick (Lancashire).