SUNDERLAND full back Denver Hume has been handed his first competitve start of the season in the Papa Johns Trophy against Lincoln City. 

The 23-year-old is working his way back to full fitness after a hamstring problem kept him out of the start of the season and potentially may have stalled negotiations in signing a new contract. 

Hume recently featured for the Under 23's side and played 60 minutes as he continues to work his way back into the first-team set up.

Lee Johnson said he would play a mixture of youngsters and senior players for tonight's game at Sincil Bank and he's kept his promise. 

Youngsters Ollie Younger, Kenton Richardson, Ellis Taylor, Harrison Sonha and Will Harris all start. 

Dan Neil has been handed the captain's armband this evening.

As for the Imps, former Sunderland froward Chris Maguire features in the starting line-up.

Sunderland officially begin the defence of their trophy after winning the Papa John's Trophy earlier this year beating Tranmere Rovers 1-0 in the final. 

SUNDERLAND TEAM NEWS: 

Lee Burge; Kenton Richardson, Frederik Alves, Ollie Younger, Denver Hume; Dan Neil (c), Harrison Sonha; Alex Pritchard, Aiden O'Brien, Ellis Taylor; Will Harris

Subs: Jacob Carney, Elliot Embleton, Luke O'Nien, Patrick Almond, Nathan Newell, Ethan Kachosa, Stephen Wearne

LINCOLN CITY TEAM NEWS: 

Sam Long, Regan Poole (c), Lewis Montmsa, Max Sanders, Chris Maguire, Anthony Scully, Hakeeb Adelakun, Joe Walsh, Remy Longdon, Lasse Sorensen, Jamie Robson

Subs: Matt Boylan, Cohen Bramall, Dan Nlundulu, TJ Eyoma