ARBENIT Xhemajli has featured for the first time in a Sunderland shirt for over a year. 

The Swiss defender played for the Black Cats Under-23's side against Leeds United today in the Premier League Cup. 

Xhemajli has been recovering from a long term knee injury he picked up on international duty with the Swiss last October which ruled him out for the rest of the season. 

The 23-year-old is yet to feature for Sunderland in a league or cup game but has been handed minutes on the pitch today as part of his rehabilitation. 

The game finished 2-1 at the Stadium of Light thanks to goals from Cameron Jessup and Ethan Kachosa.