SUNDERLAND boss Jack Ross has made eight changes to his Sunderland starting line-up for this evening's opening Checkatrade Trophy group game against Stoke Under-21s.

The Black Cats manager has rung the changes ahead of the game at the Stadium of Light, but has still named a strong starting side for Sunderland's opening game of the competition.

Alim Ozturk, Chris Maguire and Josh Maja are the only Sunderland players to retain their places from the side that started Saturday's 1-1 draw with Oxford United.

Tom Flanagan returns from injury at the heart of the back four, while Dylan McGeouch makes his first senior start following his summer move from Hibernian.

There is also a first Sunderland start for Charlie Wyke, with the striker having scored after coming off the bench at the weekend.

SUNDERLAND (4-3-3): Ruiter; Hume, Flanagan, Ozturk, James; O'Nien, McGeouch, Robson; Maja, Wyke, Maguire.

Subs: Stryjek (gk), Love, Taylor, Hackett, Molyneux, Sinclair, Kimpioka.

STOKE UNDER-21s (4-2-3-1): Gyollai; Bauer, Collins, Souttar, Tymon; Adam, Sorensen; Shenton, Pemberton, Campbell; Jarvis.

Subs: Waddington (gk), Kyeremateng, Deczki, Szerto, Forrester, Thandi, Butler.