DANNY BATTH makes his Sunderland debut in this afternoon's home game with Portsmouth - but there is no place in the starting side for fellow new arrival Patrick Roberts.

Batth replaces Bailey Wright, with his presence in the starting line-up expected to mean that Sunderland switch to a defensive formation with three centre-halves and wing-backs.

Callum Doyle and Tom Flanagan are set to staret alongside Batth, with Lynden Gooch and Dennis Cirkin filling the wing-back positions.

The other change to the side that started last weekend's draw with Accrington sees Corry Evans return to the starting line-up in place of Alex Pritchard, who is not in the squad.

Roberts does not feature in the matchday 18 either, having only completed his permanent move from Manchester City yesterday.

Youngster Trai Hume is on the bench, but there is no place in the squad for Denver Hume, who is expected to make a move away from Wearside before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

SUNDERLAND (3-4-2-1): Hoffmann; Flanagan, Batth, Doyle; Gooch, Evans, Neil, Cirkin; Embleton, Dajaku; Stewart.

Subs: Patterson, O'Brien, Winchester, Xhemajli, Diamond, T Hume, Kimpioka.