SUNDERLAND return to action on Wednesday evening when they take on Reading in the Championship.

The EFL have confirmed the Football League programme will resume this week following last weekend’s postponements as a mark of respect following the death of the Queen – here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Black Cats’ game.


WHERE WILL THE GAME TAKE PLACE?

With last weekend’s scheduled meeting with Millwall having been postponed, Wednesday’s game now forms the second part of a run of three successive away games for Tony Mowbray and his side.

Sunderland will be lining up at Reading’s Madejski Stadium for the first time since April 2018, when goals from Paddy McNair and Lee Cattermole secured a 2-2 draw.

The Black Cats have failed to win any of their last four away games with Reading, with their last away win against the Royals having come in March 2004, when goals from Darren Byfield and Tommy Smith secured a 2-0 success.


WHAT TIME IS KICK-OFF?

The game will kick off at 8pm.


WHAT HAS BEEN PLANNED TO HONOUR THE QUEEN?

The build-up to Wednesday’s game will be slightly different following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

A statement issued by the EFL ahead of this week’s matches said: “The EFL fixture programme will return as scheduled from Tuesday 13 September, with tributes to be paid to Her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II at grounds around the country.

“A minute’s silence will be held before matches, with black armbands to be worn by participants, flags to be flown at half-mast and the National Anthem to be played in stadiums.”


ARE TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE?

No. Sunderland were issued with an allocation of 2,149 away tickets for Wednesday’s game, and the sale of those tickets finished on Monday.


IS THE GAME BEING SHOWN ON TV OR STREAMED LIVE?

Wednesday night’s game has been selected for live coverage of Sky Sports.

It will be available to watch on the Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football channels.

Because the game is part of Sky’s service, there will be no streaming via the club website.

Live radio coverage is available on both talkSPORT 2 and BBC Newcastle.

The Northern Echo’s Chief Sports Writer, Scott Wilson, will be at the Madejski Stadium, and will be providing live coverage via a blog on The Northern Echo’s website as well as a post-match report, ratings and reaction.


WHAT IS SUNDERLAND’S LINE-UP LIKELY TO BE?

Sunderland are without two of their leading players in Dennis Cirkin and Ross Stewart, both of whom are unavailable because of injury.

Cirkin is set to return after the international break after damaging his hamstrings, while Stewart will be sidelined for up to two months after tearing a thigh muscle during the warm-up ahead of the Tees-Wear derby defeat to Middlesbrough.

Bailey Wright is expected to replace Cirkin in the back three, while Patrick Roberts, who deputised for Stewart at the Riverside, is once again expected to feature in the starting line-up at Reading, helping to support central striker Ellis Simms.

Sunderland (probable, 3-4-2-1): Patterson; O’Nien, Batth, Wright; Gooch, Evans, Neil, Clarke; Pritchard, Roberts; Simms.


HOW ARE READING SHAPING UP?

Reading have an excellent start to the season, and went into this week’s round of fixtures sitting in third position in the Championship table.

Paul Ince’s side have a 100 per cent record at home this season, and have won four of their last five games.

Mamadou Loum is expected to be available, with the midfielder set to replace Shane Long in the starting side. Ince has to decide whether to play Baba Rahman or Junior Hoilett at left wing-back.

Reading (probable, 3-5-2): Lumley; Holmes, Hutchinson, McIntyre; Yiadom, Hendrick, Loum, Fornah, Rahman; Ince, Joao.