JACK ROSS has made six changes to Sunderland's starting line-up for this evening's Carabao Cup first-round game against Sheffield Wednesday.

Reece James will make his Black Cats debut in defence, having played for the first 45 minutes of Monday's reserves game, with Denver Hume also selected in the back four.

Lee Cattermole will partner Luke O'Nien at the base of midfield, despite being the subject of ongoing transfer discussions with French side Bordeaux.

Elliot Embleton makes his first senior start on the left-hand side, with Chris Maguire selected as Sunderland's central striker as Ross rests Josh Maja ahead of Sunday's league game with Scunthorpe United.

Sheffield Wednesday's starting line-up features seven changes from the weekend, with former Sunderland striker Steven Fletcher leading the line for the Owls.

SUNDERLAND (4-2-3-1): McLaughlin; James, Ozturk, Baldwin, Hume; Cattermole, O'Nien; Power, Honeyman, Embleton; Maguire.

Subs: Ruiter (gk), Taylor, Robson, Mumba, Gooch, Molyneux, Maja.

SHEFF WED (3-4-3): Wildsmith; van Aken, Lees, Nielsen; Palmer, Bannan, Hunt, Boyd; Matias, Fletcher, Reach.

Subs: Dawson (gk), Jones, O'Grady, Kirby, Lee, Penney, Nuhui.