JACK ROSS has made three changes to the Sunderland team for the visit of promotion rivals Peterborough United to the Stadium of Light tonight.

As well as the expected absentees through injury, including the suspended Lee Cattermole, there is also the surprise omission of skipper George Honeyman.

The Sunderland captain has suffered a head problem and has had to miss out, so Max Power will wear the armband.

Bryan Oviedo, Adam Matthews and Jerome Sinclair all return to the starting line-up as Sunderland look to close the gap to Peterborough. The Black Cats could fall seven points behind top spot if they lose tonight.

SUNDERLAND (4-2-3-1): McLaughlin; Matthews, Baldwin, Flanagan, Oviedo; McGeouch, Power; McGeady, Maguire, Sinclair; Maja. Subs: Ruiter (gk), Ozturk, James, Robson, Mumba, Diamond, Mbunga-Kimpioka.

PETERBOUGH UNITED (4-4-2): Chapman; Naismith, Tafazolli, Cummings, Daniel; Bennett, O’Hara, Woodyard, Cooke; Toney, Dembele. Subs: Tyler (gk), Walker, Godden, Reed, Ward, Yorwerth, Maddison.